Geraniacece Impatiens. 



95 



seeds exalbuminous. About 140 species are known, chiefly 

 from tropical Asia. 



1. /. Balsamlna (fig. 61). Common Balsam. This familiar 

 annual is of Eastern origin. In a wild state it is a very hand- 

 some plant with rosy-red 

 flowers ; but under cultiva- 

 tion it has given birth to a 

 number of varieties differ- 

 ing to an almost incredible 

 degree from the ordinary 

 type. The flowers are re- 

 gular and very double in 

 the most esteemed strains ; 

 white, cream, yellow, lilac, 

 violet, pink, rose to dark 

 crimson in colour ; and there 

 are also striped and spotted 

 varieties. Florists distin- 

 guish pyramidal dwarf and 

 camellia-flowered races. This 

 is sometimes employed for 

 bedding or mixed borders 

 in sheltered situations, and 

 is very effective ; but to get 



it in perfection it must be Fig. 61. Impatiens Bakamina flore pleno. 



grown in pots. 



There are a few hardy annual species occasionally seen in 

 gardens, but they are hardly worth cultivating, the flowers 

 being small and the habit weedy. /. Noli-me-tdngere, a tall 

 yellow-flowered species, is the commonest. 



ORDEE XXVII. RUTACE^E. 



A considerable order of plants when limited to the Rutece 

 proper ; but the Aurdntiece and Zanthoxylece are now usually 

 associated with them. These plants are remarkable amongst 

 the Thalamiftorece for the glandular cysts abounding in the 

 leaves and flowers, which often contain pungent strongly- 

 scented bitter juices. There are very few hardy members of 

 this family ; the majority are found in South Africa and 

 Australia. Ruta graveolens, Common Rue, is a familiar 

 member of this order. 



