Impatiens sodenii

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Impatiens sodenii
Impatienssodenii2.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Species:
I. sodenii
Binomial name
Impatiens sodenii
Synonyms [1] [2]
  • Impatiens elgonensisT.C.E.Fr.
  • Impatiens magnificaG.M.Schulze
  • Impatiens oliveriC.H.Wright ex W.Watson
  • Impatiens thomsoniiOliv.
  • Impatiens uguenensisWarb.

Impatiens sodenii is a species of flowering plant in the family Balsaminaceae known by the common names poor man's rhododendron, [3] Oliver's touch-me-not, [4] and shrub balsam. [5] It is native to Kenya and Tanzania, [5] and widely cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Contents

Description

This plant is a subshrub growing up to 2.5 meters tall. The stems are succulent, and woody toward the bases. It is hairless, with leaves in whorls of up to 12, especially near the ends of the branches. The leaves are widely lance-shaped, or occasionally more oblong, with toothed edges. They are up to 18 centimeters long.

Flowers occur year-round, singly or in pairs. They are pink, but white forms, sometimes with darker markings are found. Petals measure 5-6 centimeters (2 to 2.4 inches), but horticultural forms may be as large as 14 cm. (5.5 inches) in width. The lowest sepal behind the corolla tapers into a long, thin spur up to 8 centimeters long. The greenish fruit capsule is up to 2.4 centimeters long and undergoes explosive dehiscence when mature. [6]

Cultivation

This plant is used as an ornamental garden shrub, and is of easy cultivation in moderate climates. Once established it is moderately drought tolerant, but will flower more freely if watered consistently. It is tolerant of light frost. Propagation may be from cuttings, or from seed, if the seed can be caught.

It is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [7]

Several cultivars have been selected or bred, including the very large white-flowered 'Madonna', 'Flash' with white flowers with pink markings, and 'La Vida Rosa' which has flowers marked with a deeper pink. [3]

Weed

This is the most commonly grown impatiens in New Zealand, where it has escaped cultivation and become a weed. [8] It is cultivated in Australia, where it has naturalized in a few areas in Western Australia and New South Wales. [6] It is documented as an introduced species in the Canary Islands, Hawaii, and Colombia. [5]

References

  1. ↑ "Impatiens sodenii Engl. & Warb". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Impatiens sodenii Engl. & Warb". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Nickel, E. Impatiens sodenii the ideal shrub for shady spots. San Francisco Chronicle April 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ Impatiens sodenii. USDA PLANTS.
  5. 1 2 3 "Impatiens sodenii". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  6. 1 2 Impatiens sodenii. International Environmental Weed Foundation (IEWF).
  7. ↑ "Imaptiens sodenii". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  8. ↑ Shrub balsam. Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
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