Impatiens meruensis Gilg

Balsaminaceae, C. Grey-Wilson. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1993

Morphology General Habit

Decumbent to erect perennial herb to 1 m. tall, though often less, sometimes ± scrambling over supporting vegetation; stems simple to moderately branched, often rooting at the lower nodes, pubescent, usually densely so when young, but gradually glabrescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves spirally arranged; petiole 0.4–6 cm. long, slender, generally glabrescent, often with several 1–2 mm. long fimbriae towards the top; lamina ovate to ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate or ± elliptical, (2–)2.5–11 cm. long, 1.3–5.5 cm. broad, the base somewhat attenuate, the apex acuminate; pubescent on both surfaces, usually densely so when young; lateral veins 5–11 pairs; margin finely crenate-dentate, the lowermost teeth usually filiform, 1–2 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers solitary or in fascicles of 2(–3), epedunculate, pale to deep pink or ± mauve, the upper petal of each lateral united pair with a magenta or purplish elongate blotch towards the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts subulate, ± 1–3 mm. long, pubescent, inconspicuous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels 3.2–7.7 cm. long, slender, pubescent, rarely glabrescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Lateral sepals linear, 4–6 mm. long, pubescent. Lower sepal obliquely and narrowly navicular, 8–12 mm. long, abruptly constricted into a 12–47 mm. long curved filiform spur, usually pubescent at least in part.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Dorsal petal suborbicular to obovate, 7–17 mm. long, 8–22 mm. broad, emarginate, dorsally with a narrow crest terminating in a short acute point. Lateral united petals 7–25 mm. long; upper petal of each pair oblong to narrowly obovate, 8–18 mm. long, 4–9 mm. broad, emarginate to entire; lower petal of each pair narrowly obovate, somewhat asymmetrically, 5–18 mm. long, 3–9.5 mm. broad, with a slight emargination distally, along the inner margin.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit fusiform, 11–17 mm. long, 3–6 mm. broad, glabrous.