Botanical Family · Ericales

Balsaminaceae

Balsam/Touch-me-not family

67 speciesOrder Ericales8+ well-known plants

The balsam or touch-me-not family, dominated by the genus Impatiens with over 1,000 species. Found mainly in Asia and Africa in moist, shaded habitats. The ripe seed capsules burst open explosively when touched, scattering seeds — giving rise to their common name.

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Representative specimen · Balsaminaceae

Key pattern

Translucent, watery stems; irregular flowers with a nectar-filled spur, maturing into a seed capsule that bursts open at the lightest touch.

The exploding, 'touch-me-not' seed capsule is the family's single most reliable field mark.

Identify the species

Which Balsaminaceae species is this?

Answer what you can see and narrow it down to a single Balsaminaceae species.

Click a node to trace its path · pinch or scroll to zoom · drag to pan

Leaf SurfaceWhat does the leaf surface feel or look like?

Glabrous

Glabrous (smooth, hairless)

Hirsute (coarsely hairy)

Pubescent

Pubescent (softly hairy)

Tomentose (woolly, matted hairs)

HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?

Epiphytic/shrubby herb

Herb

Stemless rosette herb

Leaf ArrangementHow are the leaves arranged on the stem?

Alternate

Opposite

Whorled

Flower ColorWhat color are the flowers?

Pink

White

Yellow

Flower ColorWhat color are the flowers?

Pink

White

How to recognise the Balsaminaceae family

01
Succulent, translucent stems
02
Spurred zygomorphic flowers
03
Explosive dehiscent capsule fruits

Family identification method

To check whether a plant belongs to Balsaminaceae, compare the leaf arrangement, leaf type, flower symmetry, fruit type, and one distinctive marker together. A single feature can mislead; the family pattern is the combination.

Learn the full family-identification method