Rugged yellow balsam
Impatiens scabrida

Family: Balsaminaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows to 50 cm high. The leaves are alternate and have stalks. They are oval to sword shaped and have teeth along the edge. The base is narrowed into the stalk. The flowers are yellow. They are usually on two flowered stalks in the axils of leaves. The spur is short. It is slightly curved. The fruit is a capsule.

There are about 850 Impatiens species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 1000-3600 m altitude. It grows in shade in rocky areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Kashmir, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Sikkim, Slovenia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The seeds are pickled or eaten raw. The young plant is cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds, pods

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Duo da, Duo ge le bu, Mujyaro, Phatakya, Tilgra, Tyure

Synonyms

Impatiens calycina Wall.; Impatiens cristata Wall.; Impatiens hamiltoniana D.Don.; Impatiens praetermissa Hook.f.; Impatiens tricornis Lindley;