Geraniacee—-Impaticns. 95 
seeds exalbuminous. About 140 species are known, chiefly 
from tropical Asia. 
1. I. Balsamina (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 theie ~ 
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 i 
is very effective; but to get 
it in perfection it must be Fig. 61. Impatiens Balsamina flore pleno, 
grown in pots. ee : 
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. J. Noli-me-tangere, a tall 
yellow-flowered species, is the commonest. 
Vij co 
K 
Orper XXVIIL—RUTACEZ. 
A considerable order of plants when limited to the Rite 
proper ; but the Awrdntiew and Zanthowylew are now usually 
associated with them. These plants are remarkable amongst 
the Thalamifloree 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. Rita gravéolens, Common Rue, is a familiar 
member of this order. 
