Possible error in database in the Plant Database forum

» Jump to the end

kqcrna

Oct 4, 2011 6:25 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)

Under the generic name impatiens walleriana, one listed name is balsam. I'm not sure that's correct. The genus impatiens has 2 species that I know of- walleriana and balsamina. I believe "balsam" refers to the balsamina, not walleriana.

Busy Lizzy (Impatiens walleriana)

Karen

| @kqcrna | Post #160249 (1)

Last edited by kqcrna Oct 4, 2011 1:27 PM

plantladylin

Oct 4, 2011 6:35 PM CST

Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Karen, I think "Balsam" is one of the common names for Impatiens walleriana as well as a common name for Impatiens balsamina.

~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!

| @plantladylin | Post #160258 (2)

Calif_Sue

Oct 4, 2011 6:39 PM CST

Plants Admin

Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15

Yep, kind of misleading though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...

My gardening Blog!
Handmade quilts, new & vintage fabrics in my Etsy store. Summer Song Cottage
Instagram Sewing posts

| @Calif_Sue | Post #160260 (3)

threegardeners

Oct 4, 2011 6:41 PM CST

Name: Lee Anne Stark
Brockville, Ontario, Canada (Zone 5a)
Perpetually happy!

hunh...if I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have believed it. I've never heard that kind of Impatien called Balsam.

Pets Cubit ** Hooked on Hoya **House Plants**
Now Open! Stark's Corner Store

| @threegardeners | Post #160262 (4)

kqcrna

Oct 4, 2011 6:55 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)

Balsam is a beautiful shade plant. I have never heard walleriana referred to as balsam.

Impatiens Balsamina, aka "balsam"

Karen

| @kqcrna | Post #160273 (5)

plantladylin

Oct 4, 2011 7:23 PM CST

Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

I agree, it is misleading, common names cause so much confusion!

I. walleriana: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bi...

I. balsamina: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bi...

~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!

| @plantladylin | Post #160294 (6)

Calif_Sue

Oct 4, 2011 7:54 PM CST

Plants Admin

Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15