Balsaminaceae

Deciduous annual non-woody (herbaceous), rather succulent upright plants. Fruit a capsule that opens explosively when touched at maturity, scattering the seeds. Usually impossible to identify individual species if not in flower. Often occur in partially shaded wet places. Native species evidently can successfully compete against the invasive Garlic Mustard.

Flowers showy, dangling from their stalks, bilaterally symmetric; lowest sepal large sac-like, resembling a petal, open in front and projecting backwards to form a tubular nectar-filled structure (nectar spur). Flowers usually solitary or in racemes located toward upper part of the stem where the leaf joins the stem (axils), orange, yellow, greenish yellow, pink, red or purple, but all species are variable in colour and marking, and may sometimes have white flowers. Developing flowers twist 180 degrees so they are upside down when flowering. Flowers frequented by hummingbirds, bumblebees and butterflies. Petals 5, the upper one distinct, concave and often sepal-like, the other 4 often fused to form 2 side petals.Sepals 3, the two side ones small. Stamens 5, collectively forming a deciduous cap over the ovary. Carpels 4 or 5, fused to form a multi-chambered ovary, a short style, and 1 to 5 stigmas. Also may have small non-showy flowers that don’t open, are self fertilizing and usually occur near the bases of leaves.

Leaves simple, alternate to whorled, sometimes opposite toward the lower part of the stem, usually shallowly lobed or with rounded to pointed teeth, with veins arising from both sides of the main vein (pinnate). Water droplets on the dull leaves glisten like jewels. Stipules absent or reduced to a pair of small glands. Stems smooth, semi-translucent, often with prominent swellings (nodes) where leaves join the stem. Seedlings distinctive, with a pair of round, flat, roughly circular green leaves (cotyledons) at the top of the stem.