Parrot plant
Impatiens niamniamensis

Family: Balsaminaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen shrub. It grows 90 cm high and spreads 40 cm wide. The leaves are simple and arranged in spirals. The leaf stalk is 1-10 cm long. The leaf blade is broadly oval and 22 cm long by 9 cm wide. The leaves have deep teeth. The flowers are red and large. They are in the axils of leaves. The upper petals are yellow and they have long spurs. The fruit is fleshy and has 5 valves. It explodes as it splits open.

There are about 850 Impatiens species. In Slovenia probably in a hot house.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in shady places. It can be in swamps and along rivers in forests. It grows between 350-2,400 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are also burnt to provide a vegetable salt.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Achele aluchi, Bitantonto bya mikila, Condo's cockatoo, Itondo, Kachele aluchi, Kitantonto kya mikila, Red cockies beak, Tuchele aluchi

Synonyms

Impatiens dichroa;