Impatiens
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Impatiens is a genus of about 850-1000 species of flowering plants in the family Balsaminaceae. The genus has a wide distribution throughout the northern hemisphere and tropics, although they are not found in South America.
Some species are annual plants and produce flowers from early summer until the first frost, while perennial species, found in milder climates, can flower all year. They can exist both in, and out, of direct sunlight. Some Impatiens hybrids have commercial importance as garden plants.
Major common names for one or more species include balsam, jewelweed and busy lizzie.
The plant derives its scientific name Impatiens ("impatient") and the common name "touch-me-not" from the plant's seed pods. When the seed pods mature, they "explode" when touched, sending seeds several metres away. This mechanism is also known as "explosive dehiscence". See also Rapid plant movement.
- Selected species
- Impatiens arguta
- Impatiens auricoma
- Impatiens balfourii
- Impatiens balsamina - Rose Balsam
- Impatiens bicornuta
- Impatiens campanulata
- Impatiens capensis - Spotted Jewelweed
- Impatiens chinensis
- Impatiens cristata
- Impatiens edgeworthii
- Impatiens flaccida
- Impatiens glandulifera - Himalayan Balsam
- Impatiens gordonii
- Impatiens grandis
- Impatiens hawkeri
- Impatiens javensis
- Impatiens jerdoniae
- Impatiens kilimanjari - Kilimanjaro Impatiens
- Impatiens malabarica
- Impatiens marianae
- Impatiens mirabilis
- Impatiens namchabarwensis - Blue Diamond Impatiens
- ''Impatiens niamniamensis - Parrot Plant
- Impatiens noli-tangere - Touch-me-not balsam
- Impatiens oppositifolia
- Impatiens pallida - Pale Jewelweed
- Impatiens parviflora - Small Balsam
- Impatiens platypetala
- Impatiens pseudoviola
- ''Impatiens repens
- ''Impatiens rosulata
- Impatiens scabrida
- Impatiens sulcata
- Impatiens tinctoria
- Impatiens walleriana - Busy Lizzie
The balsam used in shampoos (Tolu balsam, or Balsam of Peru), is derived from the unrelated plant Myroxylon.
References and external links
- [Flora Europaea: Impatiens]
- [Flora of China: Impatiens species list]
- [Flora of Madagascar: Impatiens species list]
- [UK National Plant Collection of Impatiens]
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