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Touch-me-not
Impatiens textorii
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An annual growing along mountain streams and in moist forest edges from summer to autumn. The reddish-purple flowers hang down like hanging boats, giving the plant its distinctive appearance. When the ripe fruits are touched, they explosively eject their seeds.
Identification Points
- βReddish-purple flowers hang from the pedicel (boat-shaped)
- βRear of the flower forms a coiled spur
- βRipe fruit explodes at a touch, catapulting the seeds
Habitat
Along mountain streams, moist forest edges, and mountain wetlands
Season
AugustβOctober (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Flowering season
Autumn
Habitat
Wetland
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Petal fusion
Free
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Zygomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Phylogenetic Positionγγͺγγγ½γ¦η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Ericales > Balsaminaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 50 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
The genus Impatiens in the balsam family underwent explosive speciation, with about 1,000 species known worldwide. The ballistic seed dispersal mechanism is thought to be a factor in their success.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification