Impatiens shailajae is a species of flowering plant in the family Balsaminaceae. I. shailajae is a herb with violet flowers. It is native to Kerala, and was named after K. K. Shailaja, the state's former health minister.
Distribution Impatiens shailajae is native to the wet tropical biome of Kerala, India. The species grows on stone. It has been found near Fimbristylis sedges, and Impatiens verticillata.
Taxonomy Impatiens shailajae was described in 2021, alongside Impatiens achudanandanii and Impatiens danii. Within the genus Impatiens, I. shailajae is assigned to the section Tuberosae.
The type specimen was collected in Thiruvananthapuram in 2020, at an elevation of . It was found alongside cliffs associated with evergreen forests.
Description Impatiens shailajae is a herb high. The stalks are leafless, and grow directly out of the root. The roots are tuberous, and the tubers measure by .
Impatiens shailajae has thin, rounded leaves, which are ovate or kidney-shaped. The leaves are long, and wide. The leaf stalks are light pink, and grow up to long.
The flowers are violet in colour, and have a straight, white spur. Each flower measures approximately across. The flowers have long stalks.
The plant produces dry, reddish-green fruits, which lack hairs. The fruits are ellipsoid, and measure long. Each fruit has five to eight seeds, each around long. The seeds are green, and have long bands of spiral hairs.
Impatiens shailajae is similar to Impatiens minae and Impatiens scapiflora.
Etymology The species is named for K. K. Shailaja, the former health minister of Kerala.
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