Impatiens Nimspurjai:
A newly discovered Himalayan plant has been named Impatiens nimspurjai in honour of the legendary Nepali mountaineer.
- Impatiens Nimspurjai is a new plant species of the touch-me-not family.
- It is endemic to western Nepal.
- It was named in honour of the celebrated Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja.
- Its botanical name combines “Nims Purja” with “jai”, the Nepali word for jasmine.
- It grows on moist, humus rich slopes in temperate forest and forest-edge habitats.
- It is closely related to Impatiens radiata, I. harae, and I. wallichii, other balsams native to the Himalayan region.
- It has sessile oblong-lanceolate leaves.
- It is an annual herb reaching up to nearly a metre in height.
- It is distinguished by its sessile, oblong to lanceolate leaves and small clusters of flowers flushed with yellow and tinged purple.
