Balfour’s touch-me-not (Impatiens balfourii, Bot. Mag. 129: t. 7878 (1903))

Family: Balsaminaceae

Author: Hook.f.

Bibliography: Bot. Mag. 129: t. 7878 (1903)

Year: 1903

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Impatiens

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. Pakistan to W. Himalaya

Description

Balfour’s touch-me-not, scientifically known as Impatiens balfourii, is a captivating plant originating from regions spanning Northern Pakistan to the Western Himalayas. This enchanting species belongs to the Balsaminaceae family, renowned for its distinctive and delicate floral structures.

Impatiens balfourii is a herbaceous plant that typically thrives in a variety of habitats, ranging from shaded woodland areas to moist alpine meadows. The plant is characterized by its delicate, bright flowers which display a stunning combination of pink and white hues, often captivating the eyes of many nature enthusiasts and botanists alike. These flowers possess a unique structure, with spurred petals that can snap shut if disturbed, earning the plant its common name, “touch-me-not.” This intriguing mechanism is not just a whimsical feature but serves as a strategy to aid in seed dispersal when the plant is touched or shaken.

Historically, the first detailed description and illustration of Impatiens balfourii were documented in 1903, in the esteemed Botanical Magazine, under the authorship of Hooker f. This early 20th-century botanical literature serves as a significant reference for understanding both the aesthetic and biological aspects of the plant.

The Balsaminaceae family, to which Balfour’s touch-me-not belongs, is well-regarded for its diversity and ecological importance. Members of this family are largely found in tropical and subtropical regions, though some, like Impatiens balfourii, have adapted to more temperate climates.

In cultivation, Balfour’s touch-me-not is appreciated for its ornamental value. It can be grown from seeds and prefers a well-draining soil with partial shade to mimic its natural habitat conditions. Gardeners are often advised to plant it in areas where its spreading nature can be managed, as it can sometimes exhibit invasive tendencies.

In summary, Balfour’s touch-me-not is a visually appealing plant with a fascinating dispersal mechanism. Its origins in the Western Himalayas and Northern Pakistan enrich its botanical significance, making it a subject of interest for both scientists and garden enthusiasts who seek to marvel at its unique beauty and biological intricacies.

Common Names

Eng: balfour’s touch-me-not, balfour’s impatiens, kashmir balsam, balfour’s jewelweed
Deu: balfour-springkraut, balfours springkraut
Ita: balsamina di balfour, impaziente di balfour
Fra: balsamine de balfour, impatiente de balfour, impatiente des jardins
Hun: matild-nebáncsvirág
Swe: hornbalsamin
Ces: netýkavka balfourova
Nld: tweekleurig springzaad
En: Balfour’s touch-me-not, Balfour’s impatiens, Kashmir balsam, Balfour’s jewelweed
Cs: Netýkavka Balfourova
Nl: Tweekleurig springzaad
Fr: Balsamine de Balfour, Impatiente de Balfour, Impatiente des jardins
De: Balfour-Springkraut, Balfours Springkraut
Hu: Matild-nebáncsvirág
It: Balsamina di Balfour, Impaziente di Balfour
Sv: Hornbalsamin

Synonyms

• Impatiens mathildae (Chiov.)

Distribution

• Pakistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 22, 2020 by Clyde Mann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Christophe Desreumaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2020 by guizmho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2020 by jeremie chailloux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© 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 8, 2021 by Sylvie de Paulis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2019 by nicolas hollan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by sit tiam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Irene Gómez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2020 by Tea B (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jérôme Fritsch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Dominique Remaud (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Robin N (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 10, 2020 by christophe gorla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2020 by Cilce Fode (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Anny Raim (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 24, 2019 by Cedric (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2020 by sm Sm (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2891783)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:373976-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Impatiens balfourii Hook.f.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 7