ToucH-ME-NOT FAMILy) Annual [or perennial] herbs [sometimes epiphytic, or subshrubs] with saccate and [usually] spurred, the spur nectariferous, the 2 lateral sepals free [or connate]. Petals 5 [free] or by connation of the lateral petals in pairs appearing to be 3. Stamens 5, alternate with the petals; filaments short, free or + connate, in ours with a scalelike appendage on the inner side, the scales partly united over the gynoecium; anthers 2-locular [coherent or] connivent, opening by a slit or pore. Gynoecium [4-or] 5carpellate, syncarpous; stigmas 5, minute, sessile [or style short, subulate, stigma 1]; ovary superior [4-or] 5-loculate, each locule with 2 to many anatropous, 2-integumented ovules, the placentation axile. Fruit a + fleshy [4-or] 5-valved capsule, usually opening elastically, or (in Tytonia) drupaceous or a fleshy capsule(?). Seeds with a straight embryo and without endosperm. Type GENus: Balsamina P. Miller, nom. illegit. = Impatiens L. A family of three genera and some 500 described species. T ytonia G. Don (Hydrocera Blume ex Wight & Arnott) comprises only a single species, T.
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Carroll E. Wood (1975) studied this question.