Above: Impatiens niamniamensis Gilg. 1909 (Congo Cockatoo, Parrot impatiens) Syn. Impatiens congoense
This perennial shrubby plant from tropical East Africa grows 3 - 4 ft tall, with succulent stems supporting a terminal cluster of ovate glossy dark-green leaves with serrated edges. The large 1.5 in, shrimp-shaped blooms are scarlet red and yellow, with a hooked spur and lime green hood and are produced underneath the leaf cluster throughout the year. This tropical plant needs warmth, humidity and shade to grow well and will not tolerate any degree of frost.
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