Notes on collecting Impatiens (Balsaminaceae)

Because of their fleshy nature, thin leaves and membranous sepals and petals, Impatiens tend to make particularly poor herbarium specimens. If dried while still attached to the leafy part of the plant the flowers generally become badly crumpled and brittle. In such a state their more important characters become unrecognisable, and it is rarely possible to restore them to any useful degree. The leaves may also become badly crushed especially if they are not pressed absolutely flat. The collectors’ time may thus be completely wasted.