Captured along the Katy Trail on Aug. 24, 2021.
Commonly known as Pale Touch-Me-Nots, these yellow flowers of the forest edge have an explosive secret.
The seeds burst forth from the fruit when touched in a specialized form of seed dispersal called ballistic seed dispersal. A simple rain shower when fruits are ripe can results in hundreds of seeds being released. The flowers bloom in the summer, with fruits ready to burst late summer.
This species is also known as pale jewelweed and is known to relive the sting from stinging nettles which grows in the same environment. It can also be used to treat poison ivy.