Impatiens. BALSAMINACEiE. 125 



with its apex by 5 slender threads. Capsule often one-celled by the disappearance of the 

 dissepiments. Seeds numerous or few {Arn.). 



I have adopted Arnott's view of the structure of the flowers in this genus. Roeper, Endlichcr and many other Ifamed 

 botanists consider the 2 upper (anterior) sepals as wanting ; while the two united sepals of A rnott they refer to the corolla, 

 and regard it as formed of a single (anterior) petal. Respecting the other parts, there is na essential difference of opinion, 



^. Leaves alUmate : peduncles mors than \-Jlowered. {Smooth: stems transparent, tumid at the joints.) 



1. Impatiens pallida, Nuii. Touch-me-not. Snap-weed. 



Leaves oblong-ovate, on short petioles, coarsely and obtusely serrate, the teeth mucronate ; 

 peduncles 2 - 5-flowered ; lower sepal obtusely conic, dilated, shorter than the petals, broader 

 than long, with a very short recurved spur ; flowers (pale yellow) sparingly dotted. — Nutt. 

 gen. 1. p. 146 ; Torr. fl. I. p. 248 ; DC. prodr. 1. p. 687 ; Hook. fl. Bor. Am. l.p.Wl; 

 Darlingt fl. Cest. p. 141 ; Torr. ^ Gr. fl. N. Am. 1. p. 208. I. nolitangere, Michx. fl. 2. 

 p. 149 (var. a.) ; Pursh, fl. 1. p. 171 ; Ell. sk. 1. p. 303. 



Stem 2-5 feet high, much branched. Leaves mostly rather obtuse at the base, 2-5 

 inches long ; the petiole seldom half an inch in length ; uppermost leaves nearly sessile. 

 Pcdunc'.cs 1-3 (and sometimes 5) inches long, rarely as many as 7-flowered : pedicels about 

 an inch in length, with a small lanceolate bract near the middle. Flowers larger than in the 

 following species. Lateral sepals roundish-ovate, somewhat herbaceous ; the 2 superior ones 

 united into one, petaloid, slightly emarginate ; lower sepal distended into a large conical 

 spurred sac, the spur about one-fourth the length of the sepal. Petals 2 on each side, un- 

 equal, united below ; the lower one much larger and retuse, sparingly spotted with brownish 

 red towards the base. Capsule about an inch long, somewhat clavate, 5-angled, few-seeded 

 (6 - 8). Seeds narrowly oblong, smooth. 



Moist shady places, particularly in rich soil along ravines. July - September. This species 

 does not occur south of the Highlands, but in the western part of the State it is very common, 

 and in many situations takes the place of the following. 



2. Impatiens fulva, Niiit. Balsam-weed. Jewel-weed. 



Somewhat glaucous ; leaves rhombic-ovate, on longish petioles, coarsely and obtusely ser- 

 rate, the teeth mucronate ; peduncles 2 - 4-flowered ; lower sepal acutely conic, longer than 

 the petals, with a rather long resupinate spur ; flower (deep orange) with numerous spots. — 

 Nutl. gen. I. p. 146 ; Torr.fl. I. p. 249 ; Hook. fl. Bor.-Am. \.p. 117 ; Darlingt. fl. Cest. 

 p. 141 ; Torr. ^ Gr. fl. N. Am. 1 . p. 209. I. biflora, Walt. fl. Car. p. 219 ; Pursh, fl. 1. 

 p. 171 ; Ell. sk. 1. p. 304. L nolitangere, Michx. fl. 2. p. 149 (var. /3,) ; Bigel. fl. Bost. 

 p. 93. I. maculata, Muhl. cat. p. 26. 



Stem 2-4 feet high, at length rather tawny. Leaves 1-3 inches long, mostly acute at 

 the base, tawny underneath on the nerves and midrib : petioles an inch or more in length. 



