Rose balsam
Impatiens balsamina

Family: Balsaminaceae

What it is like

An annual plant. It has a bushy habit. It grows 60-75 cm high and 35-45 cm wide. It has a few branches. The flowers are cup-shaped and hooded. They are 2.5-5 cm across. They can be pink, red, purple or white. The pods burst open when touched.

There are about 850 Impatiens species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is damaged by frost. It has become naturalised along roadsides in tropical America. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Andaman Is. Asia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central America, Central Asia, China, Congo DR, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marianas, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niue, North America, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Rotuma, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands. South America, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tibet, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Turkey, Türkiye, Tuvalu, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten boiled with oil and salt. The seed are eaten raw. The seeds yield a fatty oil used for cooking.

The leaves are recorded as eaten in Bali. It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, seeds - oil, vegetable, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seedlings can be transplanted. Seeds are planted 3 mm deep. Plants are spaced 30-40 cm apart.

Its other names

Local names

Bantil, Benjamina, Breskvica, Chamburukso norik, Dupati, Dushapatrijati, Fengzianhua, Ginsinye-nyi, Gulmendhi, Gulmendi, Halu, Haragaura, Ingphat amir, Juk, Kasittumbai, Mecchingom, Mehndi, Pantambol, Phoenix immortal flower, Tatura, Terada, Terda, Tilphar, Tiuree, Touch-Me-Not, Trual, Zhi jia hua

Synonyms

Impatiens cornuta L.;