Impatiens are members of the Balsaminaceae or balsam family. There are up to 1,000 species of these flowering plants widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and tropics. In different parts of the world they are known as jewelweeds, balsams, touch-me-nots and impatiens.
Impatiens arguta
Look at this gorgeous little flower. The bloom is adorned with widely-spaced, large, tubular blue-lavender flowers resembling a 'tiny floating purple parrot'. The 2.5 inch truly exotic blooms flare open like an orchid and have orange markings inside. The flower blooms from late spring through fall. Impatiens arguta, also known as Blue Dream or East Himalayan Balsam, are rare and exotic wildflowers found in the mountains of Nepal, Tibet, and western China.
Impatiens kilimanjari
Just how rare and exotic is Impatiens kilimanjari? It is found nowhere else in the world except the jungle floor of Kilimanjaro. These playful little creatures measuring about an inch long are a thing to delight with its sea horse-like looks and vibrant pinkish-red colors with curved yellow to orange tails. Inside the hood are a series of yellow and red markings. The plant blooms almost all year long!
Impatiens repens
Impatiens repens, also known as Ceylon Balsam, Yellow Impatiens or Golden Dragon impatiens, is found in the rainforests of Sri Lanka. This species is exotic in that its yellow flowers with red markings inside and small leaves borne on red stems. The bright red stems cascades down to 4 feet or more that people never guess that this is an Impatiens. The flowers appear throughout much of the year.
Impatiens niamniamensis
Impatiens niamniamensis, also called Congo cockatoo or parrot impatiens, is native to tropical Africa. Its unusual, colorful bird-shaped flowers definitely get peoples' attention the first time they see it. The distinctive cornucopia-shaped blooms are hooded with long, curled nectar spur making them look like bird beaks. The 3.5 centimeters (1.4 in) bright red and yellow flowers, with lime green hoods that dangle happily from all over the plant makes it nature's more whimsical creations. The exotic blooms appear almost constantly throughout the year!
Impatiens tinctoria
Impatiens tinctoria is another rare and exotic Impatiens species found in African rain forests. The beautiful orchid-like white blooms with red streaks are big and fragrant, especially in the morning. The red spur on its back reaches up to 5 inches long. Furthermore, its 3 inch wide flowers are probably the largest of all Impatiens species. The butterfly-shaped flowers bloom most months of the year.
Impatiens paucidentata
Impatiens paucidentata is a rare and exotic flower found in the rain forests of Gabon and Uganda. The the bizarre flowers' 2 inch chili-liked blooms has a deep red body and curved tail, with a creamy-white throat and lime green hood. The colors almost look like wet paint, due to the glossy texture of the blooms.
Impatiens psittacina
Impatiens psittacina, also known as the "parrot flower" or "parrot balsam" is a rare impatiens species found in Southeast Asia. The species received its common name because its blooms resembled a 'flying cockatoo'. The beautiful flower with hooked spur is light purple and carmine red; and come into bloom in October and November.
Impatiens bequaertii
Impatiens bequaertii, sometimes called the Dancing Girl Impatiens, is a rare species from the rainforests of East Africa. The white or light-pink blooms have 2 yellow "buttons" on the petals. The bizarre 1/2" long flower resembles a little girl in a skirt with outstretched arms.
Impatiens morsei
Impatiens morsei or the "Velvet Love" Impatiens is a rare beauty from China, where it only occurs in Guangxi. The gorgeous orchid-shaped blooms white blooms are decorated with bright orange and yellow markings. The unusual, 2-inch blossoms appear practically all year long.
Impatiens namchabarwensis
Impatiens namchabarwensis or "Blue Diamond Impatiens" is a new species discovered in the Namcha Barwa canyon in Tibet in 2003. Flowers are bright sapphire blue, with small white markings at the center and yellow in the throat. The flowers resemble elegant cranes in flight. This is an extremely rare beauty that happens to be easy to grow!
These are all beautiful but I love theimpatiens paucidentata, it's very intriguing.
ReplyDeletelovely collection...I haven't seen most of these flowers up close, or maybe I have already seen but not really noticed
ReplyDeleteI especially love the Impatiens bequaertii in this post. They are so adorable.
ReplyDelete