Kingdom Plantae Family Balsaminaceae Rank Species | Order Ericales Genus Impatiens | |
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Similar Impatiens denisonii, Impatiens zombensis, Impatiens irvingii, Impatiens ecornuta, Impatiens flaccida | ||
Impatiens kinabaluensis, Kinabalu balsam, is a flowering plant in the family Balsaminaceae. It is endemic to Borneo.
Contents
Etymology
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
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
This plant occurs in Kinabalu National Park in Sabah on the island of Borneo.
Habitat
It grows in shaded rainforests, with moist, well-drained soil, at an altitude of about 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level.