Impatiens glandulifera, SE: Jättebalsamin, DE: Indisches Springkraut,
NL: Reuzenbalsemien, UK: Himalayan Balsam, Indian Balsam

Scientific name:  Impatiens glandulifera Royle
Synonym name:  Impatiens roylei Walp.
Swedish name:  Jättebalsamin
German name:  Indisches Springkraut
Nederlandse naam:  Reuzenbalsemien
English name:  Himalayan Balsam, Indian Balsam, policeman’s helmet
Plant Family:   Balsaminaceae, Balsaminväxter, Balsam Family

Flora, Sweden, Flowers, Ragunda

Life form:  Annual
Stems:  Smooth, usually hollow and jointed, easily broken. The stem can reach a height of 3 m. and its diameter can be up to several centimetres.
Leaves:  Simple, lanceolate, serrate
Flowers:  Hooded shaped, 3–4 cm tall and 2 cm broad, pink, irregular, with five petals (two fused), three sepals (two fused) and five stamens with connate (fused) filaments.
Flowering Period:  July, August, September
Fruits:  Seed capsules are 1.5-3.5 cm long and up to 1.5 cm wide.
Habitat:  Forests, thicket, fresh water, farmland, settlements

Sweden, Botany, Flowers, nature


Derivation of the botanical name:
Impatiens, "impatient" - referring to the explosive seed dispersal.
glandulifera, glans/gland, "acorn"; ul, suffix; i, connective vowel; fer, to bear, carry, bring. Bearing little glands.
  • The standard author abbreviation Royle is used to indicate John Forbes Royle (1798 – 1858), a British botanist.
  • The standard author abbreviation Walp. is used to indicate Wilhelm Gerhard Walpers (1816 – 1853), a German botanist.

Impatiens glandulifera, Jättebalsamin, Indisches Springkraut, Reuzenbalsemien, Himalayan Balsam, Indian Balsam


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