Impatiens hongkongensis is a perennial herb usually found near streams. According to official sources, the distribution of the species is only restricted to Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The restricted distribution prompts botanists to list is as an endangered species (EN) in China. In Hong Kong, populations of
I. hongkongensis could be found in some forest streams in the New Territories. The plant bears bright yellowish flowers in late summer to autumn. Like many other species in the family, the plant has a prominent spur containing nectar. Originally the design is used to limit the pollinating agents of the flower, but interestingly for
I. hongkongensis, the shape of the flower creates a large space in the middle of the flower which doesn't seem to favor butterflies or moths like
Macroglossum spp.. The space fits middle sized insects such as bees perfectly, personally I suspect that the structure is an evolutionary relic. The seeds of the plant depends on ballistic dispersal which means the seed will shoot out when the fruits are ripe.The genus name
Impatiens is probably related to the process when the seeds burst out.The plant lives near wet environments and when the stems of the plant have contact with the water surface of the stream, roots emerge. The following pictures are taken in October showing flowering of the species.
 |
| Flowers yellow with reddish spots |
 |
| Flowers |
 |
| Flowers |
 |
| Flowers, not mature yet, showing spur and a large central space |
 |
| Flowering population |
 |
| Population near a stream in the NT |
 |
| Roots emerging from stem in contact with water |
No comments:
Post a Comment