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BALSAMINACEAE

TOUCH-ME-NOT FAMILY

Dieter H. Wilken

Annual, perennial herb, generally glabrous
Stem watery to fleshy
Leaves simple, alternate, opposite, or whorled, petioled; blade generally toothed, veins pinnate; stipules generally ± 0
Inflorescence: cyme, umbel-like, terminal or axillary, 1–8 flowered
Flower bisexual, bilateral; sepals 3–5, free; petals 3 or 5, free or ± fused; stamens 5, filaments short, ± flat, anthers ± fused above stigma; ovary 1, superior, generally 5-chambered, stigmas 1–5, sessile
Fruit: capsule, explosive
Genera in family: 2–4 genera, ± 800 spp: tropical, warm temp; some ornamental. Wood 1975 J Arnold Arb 56:413–426