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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.
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.
Impatiens acehensis
Impatiens arguta
Impatiens arriensii
Impatiens auricoma
Impatiens balfourii - Kashmir Balsam
Impatiens balsamina - Rose Balsam
Impatiens bicornuta
Impatiens campanulata
Impatiens capensis - Spotted Jewelweed, Orange Balsam
Impatiens celebica
Impatiens chinensis
Impatiens cristata
Impatiens dempoana
Impatiens dewildeana
Impatiens diepenhorstii
Impatiens edgeworthii
Impatiens eubotrya
Impatiens flaccida
Impatiens forbesii
Impatiens glandulifera - Himalayan Balsam, Policeman's Helmet
Impatiens gordonii
Impatiens grandis
Impatiens hawkeri - New Guinea impatiens
Impatiens heterosepala
Impatiens holstii
Impatiens javensis
Impatiens jerdoniae
Impatiens kilimanjari - Kilimanjaro Impatiens
Impatiens korthalsiana
Impatiens linearifolia
Impatiens malabarica
Impatiens marianae
Impatiens mirabilis
Impatiens namchabarwensis - Blue Diamond Impatiens
Impatiens niamniamensis - Parrot Plant, Congo Cockatoo
Impatiens noli-tangere - Touch-me-not Balsam
Impatiens oppositifolia
Impatiens pallida - Pale Jewelweed
Impatiens parviflora - Small Balsam
Impatiens petersiana
Impatiens platypetala
Impatiens pseudoviola
Impatiens psittacina
Impatiens pyrrhotricha
Impatiens repens - Ceylon Balsam
Impatiens rosulata
Impatiens scabrida
Impatiens sidikalangensis
Impatiens singgalangensis
Impatiens sodenii - Poor Man's Rhododendron
Impatiens sulcata
Impatiens sumatrana
Impatiens tapanuliensis
Impatiens teysmanni
Impatiens tinctoria
Impatiens walleriana - Busy Lizzie
Impatiens vitellina Diseases
