Studies on Impatiens of Western Himalaya–Rediscovery of Impatiens reidii After Type Collection, Reinstating Impatiens inayatii, and Merging Impatiens scullyi with Impatiens tingens

Impatiens reidii Hook.f., a presumed extinct and Kumaon endemic species only known from its type collection in 1886, is rediscovered from near type locality after a gap of 138 years. The identity of the historically ambiguous name Impatiens tingens Edgew. is reinvestigated based on studies of literature, type specimens, and recollection of live material from the type locality that confirmed the name I. tingens is conspecific with I. scullyi Hook.f. and thus latter name is synonymised. Impatiens inayatii Hook.f., another little-known species described by Hooker as endemic to Kali valley, Kumaon currently treated as a synonym of Impatiens bicornuta Wall., is recollected from near the type locality after 124 years. Our recollection confirms its identity as a totally distinct species from section Urticifoliae S.Akiyama and H.Ohba, thus reinstating name I. inayatii. Augmented description for all three species is provided with information on their botanical history, species etymology, key identification characteristics, distribution, phenology, ecology, and first photographic documentation of I. reidii and I. inayatii. Also, lectotypes are designated for the names I. reidii, I. tingens, I. laxiflora var. stracheyi Hook.f. and I. micranthemum Edgew.