impatiens

1 definition found

impatiens - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Impatiens \Im*pa"ti*ens\ ([i^]m*p[=a]"sh[i^]*[e^]nz), prop. n.
     [L., impatient.] (Bot.)
     A genus of plants, several species of which have very
     beautiful flowers; -- so called because the elastic capsules
     burst when touched, and scatter the seeds with considerable
     force. Called also touch-me-not, jewelweed, and
     snapweed. Impatiens Balsamina (sometimes called lady's slipper
     ) is the common garden balsam.
     [1913 Webster]