Impatiens tinctoria

Impatiens tinctoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Balsaminaceae
Genus:	Impatiens
Species:	I. tinctoria
Binomial name
	Impatiens tinctoria; A.Rich.

Impatiens tinctoria, the dyers busy lizzie, is a species of flowering plant in the balsam family Balsaminaceae, native to tropical Africa.^[1]

Description

This erect perennial grows from large underground tubers, to a height of 2 m (6.6 ft) or more. It has deeply-veined, elliptic, slightly toothed leaves. Large 6 cm (2.4 in) hooded white flowers, with deep crimson splashes in the centres, hang from short stems in summer and autumn. Each flower bears a curved red spur at the back, up to 5 in (13 cm) long. The flowers are scented like gardenias.^[2] The stems and leaves are succulent and fleshy.^[2]^[3]

Impatiens tinctoria is listed by the Plant List as "Unresolved", meaning that it has not yet been established as an accepted name or a synonym.^[4]

Cultivation

This tropical plant tolerates short periods down to −5 °C (23 °F) (RHS H3),^[5] as long as it is kept in a sheltered, partially shaded spot with a protective mulch in winter. It prefers humid conditions which replicate its native habitat.