Impatiens hongkongensis

Genus Impatiens L. (Balsaminaceae)
The largest genus in Balsaminaceae which produces spectacular flowers. It comprises of over 900 species all over the world and ranges from India to South-east Asia. 240 has been found in China where most of them are distributed in the south-western part of China.

Impatiens hongkongensis is mostly found in wet places by streams and in ravines. It produces pale yellow flowers which may attract people to collect them from the wild for ornamental uses. It is thus protected under Forestry Regulations and listed in Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong.

Flowers of I. hongkongensis are probably protandrous (Presentation of pollens come befores stigma becoming active) to prevent self-pollination. Bombus species (Bumble-bees) and hawk moths are most likely to be the pollinators. However, detailed pollination ecology of the plant has not been studied. Too little is known so far for this narrowly distributed species.