Impatiens runssorensis Warb.

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

Habit

Straggling perennial to 2.5 m. in height, though usually less; stems generally well branched, sparsely to densely pilose in the upper part but becoming glabrescent below.

Leaves

Leaves in verticils of 2–4, rarely alternate, but then always with some whorled leaves on the same branch; petiole (0.8–)2–7.5 cm. long, pilose; lamina ovate or oblong, more rarely lanceolate, 2.6–10(–12) cm. long, 1.6–5.5(–6) cm. broad, apex acute or shortly acuminate, base ± rounded or shortly cuneate, sparsely to densely pilose above and below; lateral veins 7–10 pairs; margin crenulate or serrulate.

Inflorescences

Inflorescence a (1–)2–5-flowered subumbellate raceme; flowers orange-scarlet.

Peduncles

Peduncle 0.8–2.5 cm., ± upright, pilose.

Bracts

Bracts ovate or oblong, 4–10 mm. long, 2–4 mm. broad, acuminate, pilose.

Pedicel

Pedicels 12–38 mm. long, slender, pilose.

Calyx

Lateral sepals oblong, 8–10 mm. long, 4.5–7 mm. broad, acuminate, pilose. Lower sepal narrowly bucciniform, 14–16 mm. long, gradually tapering into an incurved spur, 22–35 mm. in length overall, tip rounded, sparsely pilose.

Corolla

Lateral united petals 11–17 mm. long, upper and lower petals almost equal in size; upper petal transversely oblong or elliptic, 10 mm. long and 3.5 mm. broad, shortly apiculate; lower petal oblong, 8–11 mm. long, 4–6 mm. broad. Dorsal petal 8–13 mm. long, 4–6 mm. broad (not flattened), cucullate, dorsally with a narrow pilose crest terminating in a short acute point.

Ovary

Ovary glabrous.

Fruits

Fruit fusiform, ± 14 mm. long, 5 mm. broad.

Figures

Fig. 4/54, p. 8.

Habitat

In upland rain-forest, usually in densely shaded areas, occasionally in bamboo thickets or along river margins; 2450–3600 m.

Distribution

U2