Dictionary entry

Impatiens

Webster's Dictionary 1913

‖Im‐pa″ti‐ens (–shĭ‐ĕnz), n.(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. I. Balsamina (sometimes called lady's slipper) is the common garden balsam.