Impatiens mirabilis Hook.f.
국표에 없다.
Origin and Habitat: Impatiens mirabilisSN|32263]]SN|32263]] is an extraordinary giant balsam found on limestone in Thailand (Surat Thani, Phangnga, Krabi, Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Satun and Trang provinces) and northern Malaysia (Langkawi and Perlis Islands), almost on the Equator. As far as is known, this species does not occur anywhere else. The extent of occurrence is less than 20,000 km² (18,000 km²). It is known from more than 10 locations (approximately 15 locations).
Altitude range: Between sea level and 400 m asl.
Habitat and Ecology: This tuberous species is found in lowland forest on karst limestone formations. The greatly swollen base of the stem, often wedged firmly into rock cracks, is very distinctive. Impatiens mirabilis grows along coastal cliffs in Thailand. Most Impatiens can't survive this harsh, rocky environment, but this one does thanks to its unusual caudex, which stores water and provides stability among the rocks. Here grow several other striking plants such as Cycas siamensisSN|11194]]SN|11194]] and Euphorbia antiquorumSN|21577]]SN|21577]]. Impatiens mirabilisSN|32263]]SN|32263]] currently is threatened by the collection of mature individuals for the ornamental illegal trade and sold at markets in Bangkok, and there is a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals. Mining of the karst limestone for cement production may also be a threat in some areas.
Synonyms:
- Impatiens mirabilis Hook.f.
ENGLISH: Gouty balsam, Giant balsam
Description: The Gouty balsam, Impatiens mirabilisSN|32263]]SN|32263]] is a perennial stem succulent herb with a swollen stem-base (caudex) and a tree-like canopy with succulent leaves grouping at the apex and waxy. The caudex is hard and rock-like, and is easily mistaken in habitat for a boulder. Each plant takes on a unique shape - some have multiple stems, while others have a single stem, which widens at the base like an elephant's foot. It has curiously shaped succulent golden-yellow or creamy flowers that look almost like orchids and appear in summer and oval leaves arranged in terminal clusters. Pink ones also exist, but are much rarer. It grows to a height of 1.8 or more metres and has a similar spread.
Derivation of specific name. 'Mirabilis' means wonderful or amazing, and this plant is quite unlike other Impatiens species.
Stem: Massive, fleshy, pale green, later turning reddish- brown, erect, naked, 90-180(-300) cm high and with swollen stem-base (pachycaul) 45-60 cm in diameter, cylindrical and branched above.
Leaves: Thinly fleshy, somewhat ciliate and waxy, crowded at the ends of the branches, much narrowed to the base, obovate to ovate, crenate, length 12-30 cm, breadth 8-11 cm, (reportedly the largest of all Impatiens species), with a thick fleshy midrib and 13 or 14 pairs of faint pinnate nerves, both surfaces glabrescent. Petiole 2,5-3.5 cm long. The plant can drop some or all of its leaves if conditions get too cool or dry, but it can stay evergreen if conditions are right.
Inflorescences: Racemes axillary, as long as, or longer than the leaves, slender, and few-flowered.
Flowers: The flowers of Impatiens can be divided into two groups; the helmet type and the flat type. Impatiens mirabilisSN|32263]]SN|32263]] belongs to the helmet type. The flowers are cremy to golden-yellow, or a mix of red, white and yellow, dipper-shaped, inflated, fleshy, 4.5 cm long, sepals 3; the lateral elliptic-oblong, acute; the posterior widely hemispheric with a short incurved spur; anterior petal rotund, transversely oblong, the lateral petals united into a single 3-lobed piece.
Blooming season: Its exotic flowers appear mainly in summer, but in the right conditions, it may bloom throughout the year.
Note: There are over a 1000 different species of Impatiens spread around the globe, most of them are small flowering herbs, there are only about a dozen species known that have a caudex. Impatiens mirabilisSN|32263]]SN|32263]] is the most common of caudiciform Impatiens in cultivation. There is another species, Impatiens kerriae, which is very similar and often confused with Impatiens mirabilisSN|32263]]SN|32263]]. The main difference is that the kerriae has a single flower at the end of the flowering stem whereas the mirabilis has a number of flowers on one stem.
Impatiens mirabilis (llifle.com)
