These are images of the Parrot Flower - Impatiens Arguta, a tropical plant. Impatiens is a genus of about 850 - 1000 species of flowering plants in the family Balsaminaceae. The genus has a wide distribution in the northern hemisphere and tropics.
The plant derives its scientific name Impatiens ("impatient") and the common name "touch-me-not" from the plant's seed pods. When the seed pods mature, they "explode" when touched, sending seeds several metres away.
Bubbie Dear sent me this image of the "Blue Dream" Impatiens, a delightful plant from Nepal. The inflated, bluish-lavender flowers are very un-Impatiens-like, and appear all throughout the year! These dream-like blooms are suspended by long stems, giving the effect that little purple parrots are floating through the plant!Strange Wonderful Things is a website dedicated to unusual botanicals, offering seeds and plants, like the rare Xeronema Lily, the 25 foot tall Tree Dahlia, huge (1 - 7 foot tall) Calla Lilies - the 'Hercules', and the amazing Ribbon Tree. Check out the plant gallery for some stunning photos.
