Impatiens flowers are native to East Africa and are members of the Basaminaceae family.
They are popularly known as ‘touch me not.’ George Bowles discovered impatiens in 1632, and Carl Linneasa, a Swedish naturalist, named it impatiens noli-tangere.
Impatiens flowers come in many varieties, but the most common and widely cultivated is impatiens walleriana. This blog post discusses the flower meaning and symbolism of impatiens flowers.
Meaning and Symbolism of the Impatiens Flowers
The history of impatiens species gives the flower its rich meaning and symbolism. Having said that, impatiens flowers are commonly associated with maternal love.
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However, in other cultures, impatiens means impatience because the ripe seed pods burst open at the slightest touch, just as the name implies. Impatiens flowers fall under the dominion of the planet Jupiter.
Cultural Significance of Impatiens Flowers
As we have already mentioned, the rich meaning and symbolism of the impatiens flowers lie in their diverse varieties. Let’s get into what impatiens flowers mean to different cultures.
China
Impatiens flowers were used to treat snake bites. The Balsamina variety was the most popular for this.
The Chinese combined the juice from the plant’s stem with rice to make a mixture that was used to reduce swelling. This concoction was also used to treat bruises.
It was also thought that the stem was dried and ground into an ointment. Furthermore, the flowers were thought to have medicinal value because they were used to treat back pain.
Ancient Chinese combined impatiens, orchids, and rose flowers to make nail polish.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, extracts from the impatiens balsamnia were used in hair products. The Vietnamese believed the impatiens extracts stimulate hair growth.
Native American Culture
Impatiens capensis was used to treat a variety of ailments in Native American culture. They were also used in the production of dye.
France
It was believed in French culture that if a girl touched impatiens, the flowers would recoil and fade if she was not a virgin.
Color Meaning and Symbolism of Impatiens Flowers
Impatiens flowers are available in a variety of colors, including white, red, pink, purple, and yellow. The color meaning of impatiens flowers differs from that of other flowers. What do the different impatiens colors mean?
Red Impatiens Flower Meaning
Red is a color associated with passion, love, and romance. Red impatiens, on the other hand, do not have that connotation. Red impatiens are associated with impatience.
Yellow Impatiens Flower Meaning
Although yellow flowers are always associated with warmth and rebirth, yellow impatiens flowers are the polar opposite and represent impatience.
Pink Impatiens Flower Meaning
Pink flowers have long been associated with femininity and love. Pink is associated with motherly love in impatiens.
Significance of the Impatiens Flowers based on Variety
Impatiens Hawkeri
Impatiens hawkeri is a species of flowering plant in the family Balsaminaceae, commonly known as New Guinea impatiens.
It is native to New Guinea and nearby islands, but it is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant worldwide.
It has been traded in New Guinea for generations.
Impatiens Glandulifera
In Nepal, where it is most common, this impatiens variety is known as a policeman’s helmet because it resembles a helmet.
Impatiens glandulifera is usually considered a weed by some.
Impatiens Capensis
Impatiens capensis, also known as Spotted touch-me-not, is commonly found in North America. Native Americans exploited the medicinal properties of this flower.
It was used to treat skin conditions such as warts and ivy rash. Impatiens capensis was also beneficial in killing bacteria and fungi.
It is commonly known as snap weed and jewelweed because the flower’s leaves resemble gems.
Impatiens Walleriana
Impatiens walleriana is the most common in the world. Impatiens walleriana was named after botanist Horace Waller.
Waller and David Livingstone popularized impatiens walleriana by collecting them in their expeditions.
Impatiens Balsamina
Impatiens Balsamina originated in India and has since spread throughout Asia. Every part of the plant was widely used for medicinal purposes throughout Asia.
Wrapping Up.
The many varieties of impatiens influence the meaning and symbolism of this beautiful flower. In some cultures, impatiens flowers represent motherly love, while in others, they represent impatience.
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