This plant is commonly known as balsam, garden balsam, touch-me-not or spotted snapweed, while scientifically known as Impatiens balsamina. It is native to India and Myanmar.
Balsam is an annual plant that grows to a height of 20-75 cm with a thick, soft stem. The leaves are spirally arranged with deeply toothed margins. Flowers come in various colors such as red, pink, purple, lilac, mauve and also white. These are pollinated by bees and other insects as well as nectar feeding birds. The seed capsules explode when ripe.
This plant has been used in traditional remedies. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant and has become naturalized and invasive in several areas.
