Impatiens
The Latin genus name Impatiens (lat. impatiens = impatient) is derived from the small, green, juicy capsule fruits that explode at the slightest touch and eject their seeds for several meters. With more than 100 species, the impatiens collection of the Bonn Botanic Gardens is one of the largest collections in the world.
The unique collection of impatiens was assembled by Prof. Eberhard Fischer (University of Koblenz) during his numerous travels. In close cooperation with him, scientists from the Nees Institute are researching the flower biology. Apparently, the different flower shapes are adaptations to different pollinators. Perhaps repeated adaptations to different pollinator groups have contributed to the species richness of this plant genus.
Among impatiens, there are only a few species that grow epiphytically on trees. Impatiens paucidentata (Congo, Uganda) is one of them.
In gratitude for her great attachment to the Bonn Gardens, the Impatiens loki-schmidtiae from Madagascar was dedicated to Loki Schmidt.
Impatiens grandis is found only in a very limited area in southwest India and Sri Lanka. Its gorgeous flowers can be admired in winter.
Touch-me-not me and Busy Lizzy
Only one species of impatiens is native to Germany, the touch-me-not balsam weed (Impatiens noli-tangere). However, five other species have been introduced from North America and especially Asia, some of which have become problematic invasive weeds. In particular, the Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is proliferating rapidly and replacing native plants.
Some impatiens are particularly popular as ornamental plants, like the Busy Lizzie (Impatiens walleriana) from East Africa and hybrids of the New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri).
