Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) thrives in boggy, shady areas, especially along gulleys and small creeks. At Glenstone, jewelweed can be found anywhere that remains slightly damp year-round. For example, it is visible from the Arrival Bridge, and it grows in many locations along the Woodland Trail, visible from the boardwalks. Growing two to five feet tall, this annual is known equally for its ability to attract pollinators as for its aggressive method of seed dispersal: Jewelweed uses a ballistic method to disperse its seeds. When ripe, the slightest touch will cause jewelweed seed pods to explode and send their seeds out as far as eight feet from the mother plant. This is a feature common in the genus Impatiens, although Jewelweed is one of only two Impatiens species native to North America. Its exploding seedpods are the reason behind another one of the plant's common names: spotted touch-me-not.

–Tim Curley