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Impatiens walleriana
Native to eastern Africa from Kenya to Mozambique. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 15-60 cm tall, with broad lanceolate leaves 3-12 cm long and 2-5 cm broad. Leaves are mostly alternate, although they may be opposite near the top of the plant. The flowers are profusely borne, 2-5 cm diameter, with five petals and a 1 cm spur. The seedpod explodes when ripe in the same manner as other Impatiens species, an evolutionary adaptation for seed dispersal.
Local Park
It is commonly cultivated as a garden flower, where, although perennial in frost-free growing conditions, it is often treated as an annual, discarded at the end of the year. Propagation is by seed or stem cuttings. The numerous garden cultivars, selected for varying flower colours
Spotted on Jul 13, 2011
Submitted on Jul 13, 2011
