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spurless touch-me-not

Scientific Name: Impatiens ecalcarata

Family: Balsaminaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Impatiens ecornuta

Also known as spurless touch-me-not or western touch-me-not, Impatiens ecornuta is an interesting flowering plant.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is known as a "touch-me-not," implying that the plant may have seed dispersal mechanisms that could eject seeds.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Impatiens ecornuta
  • Common Names: Spurless touch-me-not, Western touch-me-not
  • Genus: Impatiens
  • Species: ecornuta, ecalcarata
  • Family: Balsaminaceae (Touch Me Not family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the northwestern United States and British Columbia.

Morphological Characteristics

  • An annual flowering plant.
  • Stems are erect and branched, reaching 30-80 cm in height.
  • Leaf blades are 2-8 cm long with petioles 1-4 cm long.
  • Flowers are orange, 10-18 mm long, with a saccate sepal that is not spurred.
  • The capsule is 8-15 mm long.

Synonyms

  • Impatiens ecalcarata

Quirky Facts

  • The name "touch-me-not" refers to the explosive seed dispersal mechanism common in this genus.

Related Species

  • Impatiens glandulifera (ornamental jewelweed, policeman's helmet, Himalayan Balsam, Indian Touch-Me-Not).
  • Impatiens noli-tangere (western touch-me-not).
  • Impatiens capensis (spotted touch-me-not).
  • Impatiens parviflora (small-flowered touch-me-not).
  • Impatiens x pacifica (Pacific touch-me-not) - a hybrid between spurless and spotted touch-me-not.

Further Information

  • Discover Life: Biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Impatiens ecalcarata.
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
  • Dave's Garden: Tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.
  • TERMIUM (Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank).