| Handsome Flowered Balsam |
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| File size | 90404 |
| Original date | 8/26/07 12:05 PM |
| Resolution | 1024 x 683 |
| Flash | Flash did not fire, auto |
| Focal length | 6.0mm |
| Exposure time | 1/50s |
| Aperture | 2.8 |
| Focus Distance | |
| Metering Mode | Multi-segment |
| Camera make | SONY |
| Camera model | DSC-H1 |
| Sensor type |
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Photo: |
Botanical name: Impatiens pulcherrima Family: Balsaminaceae (Balsam family)
True to its name, Handsome Flowered Balsam is one of the finest of the
Indian Balsams. It is an annual herb, 40-60 cm tall, with erect succulent
stems, swollen at nodes. Alternately arranged elliptic membranous leaves
are 7-12 cm long. Leaf margins are serrated, and the leaft stalk is 2-4 cm.
Flowers are borne in leaf axils, on stalks 5-8 cm long, 2-3 together. Violet
purple flowers are 4-5 cm across. Standard petal is round, notched, spurred
at the back. Wing petals are broad. Lip is short, boat-shaped. Spur is long
and curved. Capsules 1.5 cm long. Occurs on slopes of forested hills above
1000 m. Unlike other balsams, this one is not geragrious. Handsome Flowered
Balsam is found in the Western Ghats. Flowering: August-October.
| Identification credit: Pravin Kawale | Photographed in Alibag & Raigarh, Maharashtra. |
• Is this flower misidentified? If yes,