Garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina)

Garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a plant species in the Balsaminaceae, annual plant, fibrous roots, 20-75 cm high, stems thick but soft, cylindrical, bright green or red and has many branches.

I. balsamina has leaves arranged spirally, oblong-ovate in shape, 2.5-9 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, scalloped edges, sharp tip, a main vein in the center with many small veins pinnate and green.



Flowers are bright red or red or mauve or purple or lilac or white, 2.5-5 cm in diameter and have long stalks. The seed capsule is elliptical in shape, green in color and has white hair. The mature seed capsule undergoes explosive dehiscence. Flowers are pollinated by bees, insects and nectar-feeding birds.

Many are found in the lowlands to an elevation of 1000 meters. This plant is not drought tolerant, so it cannot live in dry and arid areas. Likes soil conditions with good drainage and sufficient light intensity.

Various parts of the plant are used as traditional medicine for rheumatism, broken bones, constipation, gastritis and skin diseases. The juice from the leaves is used to treat warts, snake bites and fish poison. Flowers are used for burns. Plant extracts to stimulate hair growth.

The seed pods are active against antibiotic-resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori. It is also an inhibitor of 5α-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (the active form of testosterone), thereby reducing the action of testosterone in the body.

The leaves are crushed to color the nails. The flowers are ground and mixed with alum to produce an orange dye that can be used to color semi-permanent nails, so colored nails must grow over time to remove traces of the color.

Naphthoquinones lawone or hennotannic acid, lawone methyl ether and methylene-3,3'-bilawsone are some of the active compounds in the leaves. It also contains kaempferol and some of its derivatives. Baccharane glycosides have been found in Chinese herbal medicine made from the seeds.

TAXON

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ericales
Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens Riv. ex L. in Sp. Pl.: 937 (1753)
Subgenus: Impatiens
Section: Uniflorae
Species: Impatiens balsamina L. in Sp. Pl.: 938 (1753)
Variety: Impatiens balsamina var. balsamina, Impatiens balsamina var. macrantha Hook.f., Impatiens balsamina var. micrantha Hook.f., Impatiens balsamina var. parusnathica Hook.f.

HOMOTYPIC SYNONYMS

Balsamina balsamina (L.) Huth in Helios 11: 133 (1893)
Balsamina hortensis Desp. in G.-F.Cuvier, Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 3: 485 (1817)
Impatiens balsamina var. vulgaris Wight & Arn. in Prodr. Fl. Ind. Orient. 1: 136 (1834)

PUBLICATIONS

Abdulina, S.A. (1999). Spisok Sosudistykn Rastenii Kazakhstana: 1-187. Academy of Sciences, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. & Strong, M.T. (2012). Catalogue of seed plants of the West Indies. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 98: 1-1192.

Akoègninou, A., van der Burg, W.J. & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (eds.) (2006). Flore Analytique du Bénin: 1-1034. Backhuys Publishers.

Baksh-Comeau, Y., Maharaj, S.S., Adams, C.D., Harris, S.A., Filer, D.L. & Hawthorne, W.D. (2016). An annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Trinidad and Tobago with analysis of vegetation types and botanical 'hotspots'. Phytotaxa 250: 1-431.

Balkrishna, A. (2018). Flora of Morni Hills (Research & Possibilities): 1-581. Divya Yoga Mandir Trust.

Barooah, C. & Ahmed, I. (2014). Plant diversity of Assam. A checklist of Angiosperms and Gymnosperms: 1-599. Assam science technology and environment council, India.

Bhaskar, V. (2012). Taxonomic monograph on Impatiens L. (Balsaminaceae) of Western Ghats, South India. The key genus for endemism: 1-283. Centre for Plant Taxonomic Studies, Bangalore.

Bosser, J. & al. (eds.) (1979). Flore des Mascareignes 64-68: 1. IRD Éditions, MSIRI, RBG-Kew, Paris.

Caminho, J., Mutemba, L., Matusse, E., Osborne, J., Wursten, B., Burrows, J., Cianciullo, S., Malatesta, L. & Attorre, F. (2022). An updated checklist of Mozambique’s vascular plants. PhytoKeys 189: 61-80.

Chakrabarty, T. (2009). A checklist of the genus Impatiens L. (Balsaminaceae) for Sikkim state. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 33: 205-215.

Chang, C.S., Kim, H. & Chang, K.S. (2014). Provisional checklist of vascular plants for the Korea peninsula flora (KPF): 1-660. DESIGNPOST.

Chayamarit, K. & al. (eds.) (2024). Flora of Thailand 16(3): 749-837. The Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department.

Delipavlov, D. & Cheshmedzhiev, I. (eds.) (2011). Opredelitel na rasteniiata v Bulgariia: 1-590. Akad. Isd. Agrar. Univers. Plovdiv.

Dessai, J.R.N. & Janarthanam, M.K. (2011). The genus Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) in the northern and parts of central Western Ghats. Rheedea 21: 23-80.

Dobignard, A. & Chatelain, C. (2011). Index synonymique de la flore d'Afrique du nord 3: 1-449. Éditions des conservatoire et jardin botaniques, Genève.

Dy Phon, P. (2000). Dictionnaire des plantes utilisées au Cambodge: 1-915. Chez l'auteur, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Figueiredo, E., Paiva, J., Stévart, T., Oliveira, F. & Smith, G.F. (2011). Annotated catalogue of the flowering plants of São Tomé and Príncipe. Bothalia, A Journal of Botanical Research 41: 41-82.

Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2024). Flora of North America North of Mexico 13: 1-566. Oxford University Press, New York, Oxford.

Fosberg, F.R., Sachet, M.-H., Oliver, R. (1979). A geographical checklist of the Micronesian Dicotyledonae. Micronesica; Journal of the College of Guam 15: 41-295.

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Ghazanfar, S.A. (1992). An Annotated Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Oman and their Vernacular names. Scripta Botanica Belgica 2: 1-153.

Ghazanfar, S.A. (2007). Flora of Oman 2: 1-220. National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Meise.

Gogoi, R., Sherpa, N. & Rai, S. (2021). Wild balsams of Darjeeling and Sikkim himalaya. A pictorial handbook: 1-295. Botanical Surbey of India.

Grey-Wilson, C. (1979). Flora Iranica 143: 1-12. Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz.

Grey-Wilson, C. (1982). Flora of Tropical East Africa, Balsaminaceae: 1-76.

Grierson, A.J.C. & Long, D.G. (2001). Flora of Bhutan 2: 1-1675. Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.

Hammel, B.E., Grayum, M.H., Herrera, C. & Zamora, N. (eds.) (2020). Manual de Plantas de Costa Rica 4(2): 1-524. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.

Hancock, I.R. & Henderson, C.P. (1988). Flora of the Solomon Islands. Research Bulletin Dodo Creek Research Station 7: 1-203.

Hara, H., Stearn, W.T. & Williams, H.J. (1979). An Enumeration of the Flowering Plants of Nepal 2: 1-220. Trustees of British Museum, London.

Hassler, M. & Muer, T. (2022). Flora Germanica: alle Farn- und Blütenpflanzen Deutschlands in Text und Bild 2: 865-1712. Verlag Regionalkultur, Uberstadt-Weiher.

Jones, R.L. (2005). Plant life of Kentucky. An illustrated guide to the vascular flora: 1-833. The universitry press of Kentucky.

Jørgensen, P.M. & León-Yánez, S. (eds.) (1999). Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Ecuador. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 75: i-viii, 1-1181. Missouri Botanical Garden.

Knapp, W.M. & Naczi, R.F.C. (2021). Vascular plants of Maryland, USA. A comprehensive account of the state's botanical diversity. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 113: 1-151.

Kotiya, A., Solanki, Y. & Reddy, G.V. (2020). Flora of Rajasthan: 1-769. Rajasthan state biodiversity board.

Kozhevnikov, A.E., Kozhevnikov, Z.V., Kwak, M. & Lee, B.Y. (2019). Illustrated flora of the Primorsky Territory, Russian Far East: 1-1124. National institute of biological resources.

Kral, R., Diamond, A.R., Ginzbarg, S.L., Hansen, C.J., Haynes, R.R., Keener, B.R., Lelong, M.G., Spaulding, D.D. & Woods, M. (2011). Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Alabama: 1-112. Botanical reseach institute of Texas.

Kress, W.J., DeFilipps, R.A., Farr, E. & Kyi, D.Y.Y. (2003). A Checklist of the Trees, Shrubs, Herbs and Climbers of Myanmar. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 45: 1-590. Smithsonian Institution.

Lejoy, J., Ndjele, M.-B. & Geerinck, D. (2010). Catalogue-flore des plantes vasculaires des districts de Kisangani et de la Tshopo (RD Congo). Taxonomania 30: 1-307.

Lê, T.C. (2003). Danh lục các loài thực vật Việt Nam 2: 1-1203. Hà Nội : Nhà xuất bản Nông nghiệp.

MacKee, H.S. (1994). Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie, ed. 2: 1-164. Museum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris.

Maliya, S.D. & Datt, B. (2010). A contribution to the flora of Katarniyaghat wildlife sanctuary, Baharaich district, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 34: 42-68.

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Mohlenbrock, R.H. (2014). Vascular Flora of Illinois. A Field Guide, ed. 4: 1-536. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale.

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Nelson Sutherland, C.H. (2008). Catálogo de las plantes vasculares de Honduras. Espermatofitas: 1-1576. SERNA/Guaymuras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

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Ovchinnikov, P.N. (ed.) (1981). Flora Tadzhikskoi SSR 6: 1-725. Izd-vo Akademii nauk SSSR, Moskva.

Pandey, R.P. & Dilwakar, P.G. (2008). An integrated check-list flora of Andaman and Nicobar islands, India. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 32: 403-500.

Pasha, M.K. & Uddin, S.B. (2013). Dictionary of plant names of Bangladesh, Vasc. Pl.: 1-434. Janokalyan Prokashani, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Rajbhandari, K.R., Rai, S.K. & Chhetri, R. (2021). A Handbook of the Flowering Plants of Nepal 3: 1-331. Department of Plant Resources, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Seregin, A.P. (2014). Flora of Vladimir Oblast, Russia: grid data analysis: 1-441. KMK schientific press, Moscow.

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Sykes, W.R. (1970). Contributions to the flora of Niue. Bulletin, New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research 200: 1-321.

Sykes, W.R. (2016). Flora of the Cook Islands: 1-973. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawaii.

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Urziceanu, M. & al. (2020). Updated list of non-native ornamental plants in Romania. Contributii Botanice Universitatea "Babes-Bolyai" din Cluj-Napoca 55: 59-82.

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Werier, D. (2017). Catalogue of the Vascular plants of New York state. Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club 27: 1-542.

Wu, Z., Raven, P.H. & Hong, D. (eds.) (2007). Flora of China 12: 1-534. Science Press (Beijing) & Missouri Botanical Garden Press (St. Louis).

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VERNACULAR NAME

Arabic: بلسم الحديقة
Armenian: Հինածաղիկ
Burmese: Dau dalet
Chinese (Simplified): 凤仙花
Chinese (Traditional): 鳳仙花
Croatian: Lijepi dečko, Vrtna vodenika
Czech: Netýkavka balzamína
Dutch: Balsemien, Tuinbalsemien
English: Garden balsam, Balsam, Rose balsam, Touch-me-not, Spotted snapweed
Estonian: Aedbalsamiin, Balsamiinlemmalts
Filipino: Kamantigi, Solonga
Finnish: Mummonpalsami
French: Balsamine des jardins, Impatiente balsamine
German: Balsamine
Hebrew: בלסם גן
Hindi: गुल मंडी Gul mandi
Indonesia: Pacar Air
Italian: Balsamina coltivata
Jakarta: Kimhong
Japanese: ホウセンカ
Java: Pacar banyu, Pacar cai
Kannada: Gourihoo, Karna kundala
Korean: 봉선화
Lithuanian: Balzamininė sprigė
Malayalam: Mechingam, Thottachinungi
Malaysia: Bungatabo, Inai ayer, Keembong
Maluku: Inai anyer
Marathi: Terada
Nias: Clahine, Paruinai
Nusa Tenggara: Pacar foya, Pacar aik
Oria: Haragaura
Palauan: Hosengka
Portuguese: Beijo-de-frade
Russian: Недотрога бальзаминовая
Sanskrit: Tairinee
Slovak: Netýkavka balzamová
Spanish: Balsamina asiática, Beso de novia
Sulawesi: Tilang gele duluku, Kolendingi unggaagu, Bunga jabelu, Giabebe, Gofu, Laka gofu, Bunga taho
Sumatera: Clahine, Paruinai
Swedish: balsamin
Ternate: Laka gofu
Thai: เทียนดอก
Turkish: Kına Çiçeği

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