Impatiens tinctoria, the dyers busy lizzie, is a species of flowering plant in the balsam family Balsaminaceae, native to tropical Africa.
This erect perennial grows from large underground tubers, to a height of or more. It has deeply-veined, elliptic, slightly toothed leaves. Large hooded white flowers, with deep crimson splashes in the centres, hang from short stems in summer and autumn. Each flower bears a curved red spur at the back, up to long. The flowers are scented like gardenias.[1] The stems and leaves are succulent and fleshy.[1] [2]
Impatiens tinctoria is listed by the Plant List as "Unresolved", meaning that it has not yet been established as an accepted name or a synonym.[3]
This tropical plant tolerates short periods down to (RHS H3),[4] as long as it is kept in a sheltered, partially shaded spot with a protective mulch in winter. It prefers humid conditions which replicate its native habitat.