Impatiens mazumbaiensis Grey-Wilson

Balsaminaceae, C. Grey-Wilson. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1993

Morphology General Habit

Rather delicate annual or short-lived perennial; stems thin, decumbent to erect, sparingly branched, usually glabrous, rooting at the lower nodes.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves spirally arranged or occasionally subopposite, pale green, petiolate to subsessile; petiole 2–11 mm. long, slender; lamina elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 1.1–7.5 cm. long, 0.4–3.9 cm. broad, cuneate into the petiole, the apex subacute, sparsely pubescent on both surfaces; lateral veins 3–6 pairs; margin shallowly serrate-crenate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers axillary, solitary or in fascicles of 2, epedunculate, pale mauvish pink with a whitish spur, the upper petal of each lateral united pair with a conspicuous magenta blotch towards the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts subulate, 2–2.5 mm. long, inconspicuous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels 14–28 mm. long, slender.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Lateral sepals lanceolate, 2–2.5 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, subacute, sparsely pubescent or glabrous. Lower sepal narrowly navicular, 5–6 mm. long, 2–2.5 mm. deep, abruptly constricted into a 7–10 mm. long curved filiform spur, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, especially along the keel of the lower sepal.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Lateral united petals 8–10 mm. long; upper petal of each pair narrowly oval-falcate, 4.5–6 mm. long, 2–2.5 mm. broad, entire; lower petal narrowly oblong, 5.5–7 mm. long, 0.75–1.25 mm. broad, with a ± 2–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm. oblong lobe distally. Dorsal petal ovate, 4–5 mm. long, 5–6 mm. broad, slightly emarginate, dorsally with a narrow crest.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit narrowly fusiform, 14–17 mm. long, 1.5–2 mm. broad.

Figures

Fig. 2/34, p. 4.

Habitat

In moist semi-shaded places, particularly along banks, pathsides, streams and irrigation ditches, generally amongst grasses and other low herbs; 800–1650 m.

Distribution

T3 known only from the W. Usambara Mts.