jewelweed

Impatiens capensis
Balsaminaceae

Seedlings in early May
Seedlings carpet area by late May
Young plants in late June
Tender shoot tips possibly browsed by deer
Jewel-like water droplets
Flowering profusely in September
Grows like a weed

The two words that make up the name of this plant are contradictory but yet both apply to this native herbaceous species.  It has an extremely attractive flower and after a rain, water droplets glisten like diamonds on its leaves.  

And indeed it grew like a weed to cover the large area cleared due to playground construction at Salter Grove.  It can be found in scattered locations throughout the park where there is recently exposed soil and conditions are not too dry.

The showy orange flower dangles on a slender stalk and matures into slender seed capsules that explode to disperse many tiny seeds when touched, giving rise to its other common name "touch-me-not".