PLATE 2. 
IMPATIENS OLIVERI. 
Impatiens Oliveri , C. H. Wright, ex. W. Watson, Gard. Chron. 1903, ii. 178; Bot. 
Mag. t. 7960. I. Thomsoni, Oliver, Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot. 1888, xxi. 398 (not of Bot. Mag. 
t- 7795 )- 
This fine Balsam was discovered by Mr. J. Thomson, F.R.G.S., at 
Lykipa, Tropical East Africa, at an elevation ranging from 6,000 to 
8,000 feet. It is to Sir John Kirk, K.C.M.G., however, that we are 
indebted for its introduction to cultivation. He collected seeds from 
plants growing along the Uganda railway upon volcanic rocks or tufa, 
at an elevation of 6,800 feet, and sent them to the Royal Gardens, 
Kew, where the first flowers opened in July, 1903. The plant is named 
in honour of Prof. D. Oliver, F.R.S., who had previously dedicated it 
to its original discoverer. As, however, another species had been 
previously figured and described as Impatiens Thomsoni in the “ Botanical 
Magazine,” Professor Oliver’s name could not stand. 
Impatiens Oliveri is a very striking plant. It grows about 3 or 4 
feet high, and is perfectly glabrous in all parts. Like all Balsams the 
stems are very succulent, and are often swollen above the joints. The 
oblanceolate leaves are produced in irregular whorls of 4 to 8, and when 
fully grown are about 8 inches in length. They are distinctly veined, 
and have conspicuous bristle-like hairs on the margins. The flowers are 
borne singly upon the stalks and resemble those of the well-known 
I. Sultani in appearance, but are much larger. They vary in colour 
from pale lilac to rose, and have curved spurs at the back about 2in. long. 
Cultivation. —This species is easily raised from seeds sown in rich 
sandy soil in a temperature of 60° to 65° F. in the same way as I. Sultani. 
The young plants, when large enough to handle easily, should be pricked 
out or transferred singly to small pots. As they increase in size, they 
should be moved into larger pots, taking care after each disturbance to 
keep the tender plants shaded and sprinkled over occasionally until they 
get re-established. A compost of loam, leaf-soil and sand will suit them 
admirably when grown in well-drained pots. 
Although ornamental in large pots or in groups in a cool greenhouse, 
Impatiens Oliveri has also proved itself useful as a decorative plant for 
the open-air during the summer months. At Kew during the past year 
several plants were grown outside, and attracted a good deal of attention. 
If there is anything against the plant, it is perhaps its size, but with a 
little manipulation it is possible that plants can be got to flower in small 
pots, so as not to occupy too great a space on the conservatory stage or 
floor. 
