This is a family of dicotyledonous plants, comprising two genera and 850+ species, all but one of which belong to the genus Impatiens.
The whole plant in generally smooth and hairless.
There are often teeth or swellings that produce nectar present on the leaf margins or leaf stems (pedicels) (extra-floral nectaries).
Of the five (rarely four) petals, one is enlarged and forms the ‘upper lip’ of the flower. The four others are fused in pairs to varying degrees and form a ‘lower lip’ composed of two parts. (bilateral symmetry)
Of the 5 sepals, one is greatly enlarged, usually coloured like the petals and forming a distinct spur that projects backwards from the flower.
Most fruits take the form of explosive capsules or pods, suddenly splitting open and shooting out the seeds when touched (Impatiens).
This plant is often found flourishing on heavily shaded woodland floors, where other plants cannot survive. It covers ground that would otherwise be bare and does not, as believed earlier, suppress or out-compete other species.
The smooth upright stems are slightly swollen at the nodes. Leaves arranged alternately. Bluntly toothed leaf margins possess tiny spines.
Loose clusters of tiny flowers, each carried on a fine stalk branching out from the top of leafy stem. Flowers hang downwards with short straight spur projecting backwards.
Mature fruit capsules long and club-shaped, spring open explosively when touched, shooting out the tiny seeds up to 3 metres in all directions (dehiscence).
!?!
In direct sunlight the leaves of Touch-me-not hang downwards (wilt) so reducing exposure to the sun’s rays. As soon as shade returns, they open out again.
!D!
Detail of flowers showing bilateral symmetry and short, straight spur.
White
Yellow
Blue
Red
Other
• Backwater
• Marsh
• Damp Grasslands
•Scrub
• Cultivated Fields
• Wayside 
• Dry Grasslands
• Woodland
This plant is often found flourishing on heavily shaded woodland floors, where other plants cannot survive. It covers ground that would otherwise be bare and does not, as believed earlier, suppress or out-compete other species.
The smooth upright stems are slightly swollen at the nodes. Leaves arranged alternately. Bluntly toothed leaf margins possess tiny spines.
Loose clusters of tiny flowers, each carried on a fine stalk branching out from the top of leafy stem. Flowers hang downwards with short straight spur projecting backwards.
Mature fruit capsules long and club-shaped, spring open explosively when touched, shooting out the tiny seeds up to 3 metres in all directions (dehiscence).