Research Paper
A new species of Impatiens from Nagaland, India
Sumit Singh, Bikarma Singh, Mantu Bhuyan, Tridip Phukan
Published on: 25 March 2026
Page: 263 - 267
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.263
Abstract
A new species of Balsam, Impatiens pfutserensis S.Singh, B.Singh & M.Bhuyan, belonging to Impatiens sect. Racemosae Hook.f. & Thomson, is described herein from the Phek District of Nagaland, India. The species is distinguished by a unique combination of diagnostic characters: unwinged stems lacking swollen nodes, forward-directed marginal leaf teeth, an eight-flowered inflorescence, and pink flowers with white patches. It is further characterized by a long spur and a ridged capsule. While morphologically similar to I. stenantha Hook.f. and I. prainii Hook.f., I. pfutserensis differs from both in several key traits. Inhabiting subtropical montane forest ecosystems, the species is presented here with detailed data on its morphology, distribution, phenology, and conservation status, alongside photographic documentation to facilitate accurate identification.
Keyword: Balsaminaceae, biodiversity hotspot, eastern Himalaya, Impatiens pfutserensis, Indo-Burma, Nagaland, new taxon
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