Misplaced Pages

Impatiens

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Lightbot (talk | contribs) at 21:31, 10 November 2008 (Date audit per mosnum/overlink/Other). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 21:31, 10 November 2008 by Lightbot (talk | contribs) (Date audit per mosnum/overlink/Other)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Impatiens
File:ImpatiensGlandulifera-flower-sm.jpg
Himalayan Balsam
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ericales
Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
L.
Species

See text

Impatiens walleriana, sometimes simply called Impatiens, is widely used as a bedding annual.
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.

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 Hope was the Elfin series, which has now been upgraded and is 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.

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

Category: