Family Description
The Balsaminaceae family consists of 4 genera and 600 species of succulent, dicotyledonous herbs with wide distribution in moist areas of Africa and Asia, but with some species found in eastern North America. Stems are succulent and translucent with watery sap and swollen nodes. Leaves are simple and alternate, opposite or whorled. Blooms are borne singly on peduncles, or in axillary clusters on peduncles. Impatiens are 5-merous but the flower is much modified to encourage nectar feeding insects, thus obscuring this fact. Flowers are zygomorphic with 3 sepals, the lower of which is petaloid (petal-like) and often with a tubular spur. Petals are 5 but with the upper petal often helmet-shaped. Blooms occur in most colors except blue. The fruit is a succulent capsule which explodes upon touching, giving rise to the "Touch-Me-Not" common name.
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Plants of the impatiens family are easily recognized by their:
- succulent stems
- spurred flowers
- explosively dehiscent capsules which shatter while still green
Impatiens are important garden flowers doing best in moist, organic soils with filtered light. Propagation is by means of terminal cuttings or seeds. Seed germination is best with temperatures above 70° F. Pests include the mealybug and spider.
Only Impatiens are cultivated in this family.
Impatiens glandiflora (left) with capsule, I. flacida (right) with long spur.
Representative Species
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| Impatiens hawkeri | New Guinea Impatiens |
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| * | Impatiens wallerana | Impatiens |
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