Bitterroot Restoration

Order: Ericales
Family: Balsaminaceae

Impatiens is a genus of flowering plants, widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and tropics. Regardless of their lifespan, the largest impatiens grow up to about 2 meters (c. 7 ft) tall, but most are less than half as tall. Their leaves are entire and shiny; their upperside has a thick, water-repellent cuticula that gives them a greasy feel. Particularly on the underside of the leaves, tiny air bubbles are trapped under the leaf surface, giving them a silvery sheen that becomes pronounced when held under water. Their name "jewelweed" probably refers to these shiny leaves, particularly obvious after rains when water drops reflect the sunlight like a prism. However it is more likely that the name is derived from the robin egg blue of the surface of the seed beneath the dark brown aril, or seed coat.

The flowers, up to 2–3 cm (around 1 inch) long, in most species are made up by a shoe- or horn-shaped spur for the most part. Their flowers are variously colored. There are white, pink, salmon, purple, orange or red, and many bicolor.

Impatiens are one of the most popular plants for shade gardens, and a indoor houseplants.