Impatiens kinabaluensis, the Kinabalu balsam, is a flowering plant in the family Balsaminaceae. It is endemic to Borneo.
Etymology The genus name Impatiens (Latin for "impatient") refers to the explosive dehiscence of the fruit. The species name kinabaluensis refers to Mount Kinabalu, the type locality.
Description Impatiens kinabaluensis reaches about in height. It has long, rigid stems. The leaves are about 3-4 inches long, dark green, entire, ovate to lanceolate-ovate, ribbed and shiny. The upper surface has a thick, water-repellent cuticula. The flowers are pink-lilac and bloom from April through November.
Distribution This plant occurs in Kinabalu National Park in Sabah on the island of Borneo.
Habitat It grows in shaded rainforests, with moist, well-drained soil, at an altitude of about above sea level.
References
External links International Plant Names Tropicos EoL
Further reading Akiyama, S., et al. 2005. A new species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo. J. Jap. Bot. 80(5) 266–270. Ikeda, H., et al. 2005. A cytotaxonomic study of five species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) in Java and Borneo, Malesia. J. Jap. Bot. 80(5) 271–77.