Impatiens glandulifera
Family: Balsamiaceae
Common Name(s): Touch-me-not, Balsam, Jewelflower
Grown by: Don Mahoney, San Francisco
Impatiens-impatient; referring to the explosive manner in which the seeds are discharged when a ripe seedpod is touched or disturbed
Glandulifera -bearing glands
Many of the tropical and subtropical of the over 500 species of Impatiens are aggressive reseeders. All have a nectar tube full of sweet nectar ahh! Slurp! and most are annuals in our climate unless brought in for the winter. Many are shade tolerant and all have a pearlescent, sparkling aspect to the petals, visually repaying one for close inspection of their blossoms...
