Impatiens

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus characterized by herbaceous plants producing attractive flowers in various colors
2. These plants are commonly used in landscaping for their shade tolerance and visual appeal
3. A type of herb-like plant known for its bright, eye-catching blossoms often found in gardens

Etymology: The genus name "Impatiens" is Latin for "impatient," and the plant earned it through its seed pods. Ripe capsules split open explosively at the slightest touch, flinging seeds several feet away, so the plant seems unable to wait to be handled. The Latin adjective "impatiēns" is built from "in-," meaning "not," and "patiens," the present participle of "pati," "to suffer or endure." Literally it means "not enduring," which gave rise to the English sense of restlessness. The name was applied to the plants by botanists, who borrowed the Latin word as a scientific label for the whole genus. Its common English name, "touch-me-not," comes from the same behaviour, and the familiar garden balsam is one member of this large group of flowering plants.

Synonyms: busy lizzie, flower