Plant Families with Succulent Species

Balsaminaceae - Balsam Family

The Balsaminaceae is a widely-distributed family of herbs with 2 genera containing over 800 species, almost all of which belong to Impatiens. The genus Hydrocera is monotypic or contains only a small number of species.

Impatiens includes "Bizzie Lizzies" which are popular houseplants and propagated in vast numbers within the horticultural trade for colourful summer bedding. Only a handful of the species are widely cultivated. However, several hybrids and numerous cultivars are available providing a wide range of colours and flower forms. Young plants are prone to damping off.

Some of the hardy balsams have become invasive weeds, with seeds spread explosively when the ripe seed pods burst. Naturalising invasive balsams may be illegal in some jurisdictions.

Impatiens repens (Yellow Impatiens, Ceylon Jewelweed)
is a trailing creeper from Ceylon, although extinct or very rare in its native habitat.

The bright yellow flowers up to 4cm long and with a terminal spur are offset by tiny kidney-shaped, green leaves on succulent, self-branching, bright red stems. Photographed growing as ground cover at RBG Kew but also suitable for hanging baskets and containers in semi-shade.