Difference between Fengxiang Flower and Camellia Impatiens
In courtyard flowers, Fengxiang flowers and Camellia Impatiens are often confused. These two sister plants of the same family, Impatiens, have both kinship and unique characteristics. By systematically comparing their botanical features, we can more accurately identify these similar flowers.
Camellia Impatiens Variety Traceability
Botanical Taxonomy Positioning
Fengxiang flower (Impatiens balsamina) as the original species, contains multiple horticultural varieties, among which Camellia Impatiens (Impatiens balsamina var. camellia) is its double-petal improved variety. The former can be traced back to the native species in tropical Asia, while the latter is an artificially bred ornamental variety.
Gerplasm Resource Distribution
Wild Fengxiang flowers are mostly distributed in moist valley areas, while Camellia Impatiens, as a cultivated variety, is mainly used in modern landscape gardens. There are significant differences in the seed propagation characteristics between the two, with the native species having a seed-setting rate of up to 80%, while the improved variety drops to about 30%.
Observation and Comparison of Plant Structure
Difference between Fengxiang Flower and Camellia Impatiens
Difference in Growth Height
Standard Fengxiang flowers have a mature plant height of 60-100 cm, with stems up to 2 cm thick, showing a trend of erect lignification. Camellia Impatiens have a controlled plant height of 25-50 cm, with tender and juicy stems, especially suitable for pot cultivation.
Comparison of Branching Characteristics
The native species has side branches that naturally spread at an angle of about 45°, forming an umbrella-shaped plant type. The improved variety reduces the branching angle to 30°, forming a compact conical plant type, which is especially obvious during the full bloom period.
Analysis of Flower Morphological Characteristics
Flower Diameter and Petal Type
The native species has a single flower diameter of 2-3 cm, with a double-petal rate of about 40%; Camellia Impatiens flowers can reach 5-7 cm, 100% double-petal and layered up to 8-12 rounds, resembling camellia corolla.
Analysis of Flower Color Spectrum
Fengxiang flowers cover 7 basic color systems, including rare blue-purple variants. Camellia Impatiens, through targeted breeding, has focused on enhancing the performance of warm color systems such as rose red, bright red, and orange red, with the petal surface showing a velvet texture.
Through systematic comparison, it can be seen that there are significant differentiation in gene expression and morphological characteristics between the two Impatiens flowers. Gardening enthusiasts can choose plant types based on cultivation space and select flower types according to ornamental needs. Mastering these identification points can lead to more scientific variety selection and maintenance management.