Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Orange Jewelweed

Impatiens capensis

Typically in season from August to October, peaking around August to September in the northern hemisphere. Found in Wetland, Waterside. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

Photo: (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · iNaturalist

When Orange Jewelweed is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak August to September. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in October

Where it grows

Orange Jewelweed is usually found in Wetland, Waterside.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Orange Jewelweed into the field

Open Orange Jewelweed in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Orange Jewelweed: common questions

When is Orange Jewelweed in season?

Orange Jewelweed is generally in season from August to October, with its peak around August to September in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Orange Jewelweed grow?

Orange Jewelweed is usually found in Wetland, Waterside.

Is Orange Jewelweed safe to forage?

Similar species: Himalayan balsam, Small balsam, Pale jewelweed. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits