IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Impatiens balsamina

17th August, 2021 ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context:

  • Three new wild balsam species reported from Kerala.

 

More about news:

  • The three species are
    • A plant with whitish-creamy flowers found in the Kallar forest, Thiruvananthapuram district, has been named Impatiens achudanandanii after Mr. Achuthanandan.
    • A discovery from the Sankhili forest in south Kerala, christened Impatiens shailajae, honours Ms. Shailaja.
    • Impatiens danii, spotted in Munnar, Idukki, is named after Mathew Dan, scientist and head, Plant Genetic Resource Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Given their tiny populations, all three species can be classified as Critically Endangered (CE), applying the IUCN criteria.
  • These are straggling, glabrous herb.

 

About Impatiens balsamina

  • It is commonly known as balsam, is a species of plant native to India and Myanmar.
  • Different parts of the plant are used as traditional remedies for disease and skin afflictions.
  • Juice from the leaves is used to treat warts and snakebite, and the flower is applied to burns.
  • This species has been used as indigenous traditional medicine in Asia for rheumatism, fractures, and other ailments.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/three-new-wild-balsam-species-reported-from-kerala/article35923828.ece?homepage=true