Impatiens (Balsam, Busy Lizzie genus)

Impatiens (Balsam, Busy Lizzie genus)

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Asterids > Order: Ericales > Family: Balsaminaceae

Impatiens sp.

In garden in Knysna (Western Cape, South Africa).

About 850 species, native to tropical and subtropical parts of the world but not South America or Australia. Very popular as garden plants and indoor plants. There are 4 species native to southern Africa, all of which are found in moist areas in the eastern parts of southern Africa.

Herbivores in southern Africa

Lepidoptera: Sphingidae (hawkmoths)

Hippotion celerio (Silver Striped Hawkmoth)

Caterpillar eats the leaves.

Hippotion eson (Common Striped Hawkmoth)

Caterpillar eats the leaves.

Hippotion osiris (Large Striped Hawkmoth).

Caterpillar eats the leaves.

Publications

Grey-Wilson, C. 1980. Impatiens of Africa. Balkema, Rotterdam.
Launert, E. 1963. Balsaminaceae. Flora Zambesiaca 2: 162-180.