Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Balsam (impatiens)

BALSAM, the common name of succulent plants of the genus impatiens, family balsaminaceæ, having beautiful irregular flowers, cultivated in gardens and greenhouses. Impatiens balsamina, a native of the East Indies, is a common cultivated species. Impatiens noli-me-tangere, grows wild in Great Britain, but is not native.