Impatiens fischeri Warb.

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

Morphology General Habit

Tuberous rooted perennial to 1.25 m. tall, glabrous; stems thin and sappy, rather poorly branched.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves spirally arranged; petiole (1.7–)2–4.8 cm. long, with 1–3 pairs of rounded glands towards the top; lamina ovate to oblong or broadly elliptic, 4.5–11(–12.5) cm. long, (2.7–)3–6(–7) cm. broad, the apex acute or acuminate, the base rounded or shortly cuneate; margin crenate-dentate or crenulate; lateral veins 8–12 pairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a 2–5(–6)-flowered raceme; flowers dark red.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncle 7–14(–18) cm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts oblong to oblong-ovate, 6–9 mm. long, acute or shortly acuminate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels 17–24 mm. long, slender.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Lateral sepals 4 (2 pairs); upper pair linear-oblong, 8–9 mm. long, 1–2.5 mm. broad, acute; lower pair ovate to ovate– oblong, 7–8 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, subacute or slightly acuminate. Lower sepal bucciniform, 10–14 mm. long, gradually tapering into a 29–40 mm. long, incurved spur, slightly swollen at the tip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Lateral united petals ± 17–18 mm. long; upper petal oblong to oblong-ovate, 6–7 mm. long, 3–4 mm. broad; lower petal broadly and rather obliquely oblong or oblong-elliptic, 11–14 mm. long, 8–10 mm. broad. Dorsal petal ± 10 mm. long and 7 mm. broad, cucullate, scarcely crested.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit unknown.

Figures

Fig. 4/44, p. 8.

Habitat

In moist shaded places of upland rain-forest, often in dense shrubby or swampy areas, along river and stream margins and in bamboo thickets; 2050–3100 m.

Distribution

K3 K4 not known elsewhere