FORM Herbaceous with watery stems.

Genera      4, in N. America Impatiens only.

Species 600. 500 are in genus Impatiens.

Distribution Tropical Asia and Africa, a few in Temperate N. A. and Europe.

Flowers Perfect, brightly colored, often drooping, solitary or in racemes

#Parts   Sepals 3-5, 1 larger than the others. 5 petals, 5 stamens. Ripe seed pods pop when touched.

Symmetry Bilateral

Leaves Simple, pinnately veined, thin, alternate or opposite.