impatiens

views updated May 23 2018

im·pa·tiens / imˈpāshənz/ • n. an East African plant (genus Impatiens, family Balsaminaceae) with abundant red, pink, or white flowers, often grown as a houseplant or bedding plant.

impatiens

views updated May 23 2018

impatiens (busy Lizzies) Genus of 450 species of succulent annual plants, mostly native to the tropics of Asia and Africa. They have white, red or yellow flowers and seedpods which, when ripe, pop and scatter their seeds. Some species are known as touch-me-not. Family Balsaminaceae.

Impatiens

views updated May 23 2018

Impatiens (balsam, touch-me-not) See BALSAMINACEAE.