Difference between revisions of "Impatiens"

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(added Impatiens oliverii)
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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 meters away. This mechanism is also known as "explosive dehiscence". See also [[Rapid plant movement]].
 
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 meters away. This mechanism is also known as "explosive dehiscence". See also [[Rapid plant movement]].
  
 +
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==Species==
 
;Selected species
 
;Selected species
 
*''[[Impatiens acehensis]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens acehensis]]''
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*''[[Impatiens niamniamensis]]'' - Parrot Plant, Congo Cockatoo
 
*''[[Impatiens niamniamensis]]'' - Parrot Plant, Congo Cockatoo
 
*''[[Impatiens noli-tangere]]'' - Touch-me-not Balsam
 
*''[[Impatiens noli-tangere]]'' - Touch-me-not Balsam
 +
*''[[Impatiens oliverii]]'' - Poor Man's Rhododendron
 
*''[[Impatiens oppositifolia]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens oppositifolia]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens pallida]]'' - Pale Jewelweed
 
*''[[Impatiens pallida]]'' - Pale Jewelweed
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*''[[Impatiens sidikalangensis]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens sidikalangensis]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens singgalangensis]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens singgalangensis]]''
*''[[Impatiens sodenii]]'' - Poor Man's Rhododendron
+
*''Impatiens sodenii'' (syn. for ''[[Impatiens oliverii]]'')
 
*''[[Impatiens sulcata]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens sulcata]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens sumatrana]]''
 
*''[[Impatiens sumatrana]]''

Revision as of 22:18, 12 February 2009

Impatiens
Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan Balsam
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ericales
Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens

Species
See text
Impatiens namchabarwensis
Impatiens rosulata
Impatiens parviflora
Impatiens capensis

Impatiens is a genus of about 900-1000 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. Impatiens walleriana hybrids have commercial importance as garden plants with a yearly business volume of about US $230 million. This species of Impatiens were originally collected as weeds from Costa Rica, and bred through selection by Claude Hope. The original series of impatiens bred by Mr. Hope was the Elfin series, which has now been upgraded and known as the Super Elfin series.

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 meters away. This mechanism is also known as "explosive dehiscence". See also Rapid plant movement.


Species

Selected species

Impatiens species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Dot Moth.

The balsam used in shampoos (Tolu balsam, or Balsam of Peru), is derived from the unrelated plant Myroxylon.

Diseases

Main article: List of impatiens diseases

Botanical References

Impatiens Sources

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