Family: Balsaminaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 938 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Impatiens
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. Eurasia, Alaska to C. Canada and WC. California
Description
The Balsam, scientifically known as Impatiens noli-tangere, is a fascinating and historically significant plant within the Balsaminaceae family. Initially described in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal 1753 work, “Species Plantarum,” this intriguing species is notable for its wide distribution and unique characteristics.
Often found in temperate regions of Eurasia, Impatiens noli-tangere also spans across various parts of North America, from Alaska to central Canada and parts of western and central California. This broad geographical presence underscores the plant’s adaptability to different climates and environments, thriving predominantly in moist, shaded areas such as forest edges and streambanks.
The Balsam is notable for its delicate, yet vibrant appearance. The plant typically features a profusion of small, bright yellow flowers, which bloom profusely during the summer months. These blossoms are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators, playing a vital role in local ecosystems.
A distinctive trait of the Balsam is its explosive seed dispersal mechanism. When touched, the ripe seed pods burst open, propelling the seeds over considerable distances. This unique dispersal strategy not only aids in the plant’s propagation but also gives rise to its name, “noli-tangere,” which translates to “do not touch” in Latin.
Beyond its botanical intrigue, the Balsam holds cultural and medicinal significance in various indigenous and traditional communities. Historically, parts of the plant have been used in folk remedies to treat a range of ailments, though it is essential to consult modern medical advice before considering any such uses.
In summary, Impatiens noli-tangere is a remarkable species with a rich botanical and cultural heritage. Its beautiful appearance, unique seed dispersal, and broad distribution make it a standout member of the Balsaminaceae family, deserving recognition and appreciation within the botanical community and beyond.
Common Names
Deu: echtes springkraut, großes springkraut, rührmichnichtan, rühr mich nicht an
Dan: spring-balsamin
Eng: western touch-me-not, balsam, quick-in-the-hand, touch-me-not, touch-me-not balsam, western jewelweed, yellow jewelweed, yellow touch-me-not
Fra: balsamine des bois, impatiente n’y-touchez-pas, herbe sainte-catherine, pétard
Nld: groot springzaad
Fin: lehtopalsami
Swe: lehtopalsami, springkorn, vildbalsamin
Nor: norske balsamine, spingfrø
Nno: springfrø
Nob: springfrø
Sme: diliheapmi, rohtobálsan
Cym: ffromlys, ffromlys melyn, ffromlys melyn gwylll
En: Balsam, Quick-in-the-hand, Touch-me-not, Touch-me-not balsam, Western touch-me-not, Western touchmenot, Jewelweed, Wild Balsam, Yellow Balsam, Western jewel-weed, Western jewelweed, Yellow jewelweed, Yellow touch-me-not
Az: Adi balzamin
Be: Бальзамін звычайны
Bg: Горска слабонога
Ca: Balsamina salvatge, Herba de santa cristina, Noli me tàngere
Zh: 水金凤, 水金鳳, 輝菜花, 辉菜花
Kw: Tardhles
Cs: Netýkavka nedůtklivá
Da: Spring-Balsamin
Nl: Groot springzaad, Groot Sprinzaad
Et: Impatiens occidentalis, Õrn lemmalts
Fi: Lehtopalsami
Fr: “Balsamine des bois, Impatiente ne-me-touchez-pas, Impatiente N’y-touchez-pas”, Balsamine des bois, Impatiente n’y-touchez-pas, Herbe Sainte-Catherine, Pétard, Impatiente des bois
Ka: Ჩვეულებრივი უკადრისა
De: Rühr mich nicht an, Großes Springkraut, Rühr-mich-nicht-an, Altweiberzorn, Echtes Springkraut, Großes Rührmichnichtan, Wald-Springkraut, Rührmichnichtan, Große-Springkraut
Hu: Erdei nebáncsvirág
It: Balsamina gialla, Erba impaziente, Noli me tangere
Ja: Ki-tsurifune
Lv: Meža sprigane
Lt: Paprastoji sprigė
Lb: Kräitche Réiermechnetun
Gv: Balsym buigh
Se: Diliheapmi, Rohtobálsan
No: Springfrø, Norske balsamine, Spingfrø
Nb: Springfrø
Nn: Springfrø
Os: Æнæвнæл
Fa: گل بیصبر
Pl: Niecierpek Pospolity
Pt: Balsamina-do-mato, Erva-de-santa-catarina, Erva-não-me-toques, Não-me-toques
Ru: Недотрога Комарова, Недотрога западная, Недотрога обыкновенная, Или Бальзамин, Или Ванька мокрый
Sr: Prskavac
Sk: Netýkavka nedotklivá
Es: Balsamina de los bosques, Hierba de Santa Catalina, No quieras tocarme, Nometoques, Yerba de Santa Catalina, Yerba de las moscas
Sv: Springkorn, Lehtopalsami, Vildbalsamin
Zh-tw: 水金鳳
Zh-hant: 水金鳳
Tr: Yabani kına çiçeği
Cy: Ffromlys melyn, Ffromlys, Ffromlys Melyn Gwylll
Synonyms
- Impatiens noli-me-tangere (Crantz)
- Impatiens cucullata (Gilib.)
- Impatiens caucasica (Steven)
- Impatiens komarovii (Pobed.)
- Impatiens noli-tangere f. hemileuca (Koji Ito & Hinoma)
- Impatiens penduliflora (St.-Lag.)
- Impatiens noli-tangere f. pallidiflora (H.Lindb.)
- Impatiens noli-tangere var. pallida ((Herm. ex Beger & Em.Schmid) M.Kim)
- Impatiens palustris (Pers.)
- Impatiens noli-tangere var. pallescens ((Beger) Nakai)
- Impatiens noli-tangere f. pallescens (Beger)
- Balsamina lutea (Delarbre)
- Balsamina noli-tangere ((L.) Scop.)
- Impatiens borealis (Sweet)
- Impatiens noli-tangere f. pallida (Herm. ex Beger & Em.Schmid)
- Impatiens noli-tangere f. albiflora (A.F.Schwarz ex Beger & Em.Schmid)
- Impatiens noli-tangere var. parviflora (Kitag.)
- Impatiens occidentalis (Rydb.)
- Balsamina impatiens (A.Rich.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Albania (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- California (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iran (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Aug 28, 2021 by K. Wemh. (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2019 by Navajoa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2018 by Denis SABATIER (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2021 by winkler matthias (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 24, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2019 by Schellmann Claudia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Dominique Wernert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 30, 2021 by Pro Monica (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Bernard Haute Savoie (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2021 by MICHEL DUSSERE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Dominique Wernert (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 5, 2019 by 3005andre (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean Ciroux (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yannick DURAND (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Jean-Francois Dumas (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 13, 2020 by grutz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jun 17, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 17, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Alexis Guillot (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 28, 2019 by cirse (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Frank Vincentz (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2022 by Joan Joan Wentworth (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Susanne L. (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 17, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2891779)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30208246-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Impatiens noli-tangere L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 4
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’]
Soil nutriments: 6