Impatiens kinabaluensis

Impatiens kinabaluensis, the Kinabalu balsam, is a flowering plant in the family Balsaminaceae.[1] It is endemic to Borneo.

Impatiens kinabaluensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Species:
I. kinabaluensis
Binomial name
Impatiens kinabaluensis
S. Akiyama & H. Ohba, 2005

Etymology edit

The genus name Impatiens (Latin for "impatient") refers to the explosive dehiscence of the fruit. The species name kinabaluensis refers to Mount Kinabalu, the type locality.

Description edit

Impatiens kinabaluensis reaches about 90 centimetres (35 in) in height. It has long, rigid stems. The leaves are about 3-4 inches long, dark green, entire, ovate to lanceolate-ovate, ribbed and shiny. The upper surface has a thick, water-repellent cuticula. The flowers are pink-lilac and bloom from April through November.

Distribution edit

This plant occurs in Kinabalu National Park in Sabah on the island of Borneo.

Habitat edit

It grows in shaded rainforests, with moist, well-drained soil, at an altitude of about 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level.

References edit

  1. ^ "Impatiens kinabaluensis". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2 September 2021.

External links edit

Further reading edit

  • Akiyama, S., et al. 2005. A new species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo. J. Jap. Bot. 80(5) 266–270.
  • Ikeda, H., et al. 2005. A cytotaxonomic study of five species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) in Java and Borneo, Malesia. J. Jap. Bot. 80(5) 271–77.