Impatiens walleriana

Native from southeastern Kenya to southern tropical Africa, this tender perennial herb is widely cultivated as annual bedding in temperate climates. Its soft, succulent stems and leaves are easily damaged, while the flowers have five petals and a slender spur. The seed pods burst when ripe, scattering their seeds. Plants are propagated from seed or softwood cuttings. It has been introduced widely beyond Africa and is invasive in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, particularly in moist habitats. Photographed in the central Andes mountain range of Colombia.