How to identify Busy lizzie (Impatiens walleriana)
Busy lizzie, also known as Japanese Balsam, Sultan's balsam, Balsam
Busy lizzie typically grows 0.5 to 2 feet (15 to 60 cm) tall and spans equally as wide. The foliage consists of oval to elliptic leaves, ranging from light to dark green, sometimes with a bronze hue, and distinctive stalked glands on the teeth that rise above the leaf surface. Its hallmark is the showy flowers with a unique, elongated, and conspicuous white spur and a lateral sepal pair that is narrow and extended. The blooms can be single or double, exhibiting a spectrum of colors including white, peach, apricot, pink, and red, often with a bicolored appearance. The plant forms a dense, succulent mound that typically reaches the ground.
Lifespan: Perennial, Annual
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Distinctive flower spur with elongated white appearance.
Explosively dehiscent capsules with ribbed texture for seed dispersal.
Succulent, smooth stems branching widely for lush growth pattern.
Showy blooms in a variety of colors, including peach, apricot, and bicolored.
Oval to elliptical leaves with serrated margins and stalked glands on teeth.
The leaves of busy lizzie are alternate and petiolate, measuring 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) long and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) wide. They are ovate to elliptical with a serrated margin and a smooth surface. The leaves are primarily green, sometimes with a hint of red or bronze. They have minute stalked glands, rising upward with acute to sub-acuminate tips, contributing to their distinctive appearance.
The flowers of busy lizzie are solitary and grow on elongated pedicels. They are distinctively spurred and feature a calyx with 5 lobes, including 2 narrow, lateral green lobes. The petals, rich in anthocyanin pigments, come in a diverse range of colors, such as orange, pink, red, white, purple, and bi-colored. These plate-like flowers are composed of 5 overlapping, obovate petals and present a flattened appearance. They typically bloom from May to October.
The stem of busy lizzie is green, smooth, and succulent. It ranges in thickness from 0.2 to 0.5 inches (0.5 to 1.3 cm). The stem is suberect to decumbent, often branching widely to form a dense growth pattern. It bears leaves along its length, providing a lush appearance. The smooth texture and juicy nature of the stem are distinguishing features, making it easily recognizable. Branches typically extend laterally, enhancing the plant's spread.
The fruit of busy lizzie is a small, dehiscent capsule with a distinctive explosive mechanism. Measuring approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length, these ribbed, rubbery-succulent seed pods burst open when mature, usually occurring from September through October. This sudden opening causes the seeds to be forcefully ejected, aiding in seed dispersal. The unique texture and explosive nature of these capsules are key identification features.
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Scientific Classification of Busy lizzie
