All flowers
Parrot Flower Wikimedia Commons
Balsaminaceae

Parrot Flower

Impatiens psittacina

Rare beauty and wonder.

Family
Balsaminaceae
Genus
Impatiens
Native to
Thailand, Myanmar, India
Bloom season
Fall
Type
perennial herb
Height
1-2 ft
Sunlight
part shade
Soil
moist, humus-rich
Water
high
Hardiness
10-12
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The flowers bear a remarkable resemblance to a flying cockatoo or parrot, visible when viewed from the side.
  • It was first described by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1901 and initially thought to be a hoax due to the parrot-like flower shape.
  • The plant is listed as a protected species in Thailand and cannot be legally exported.
  • It grows naturally in limestone crevices in cloud forests at elevations between 4,500 and 5,000 feet.
  • Photos of the parrot flower went viral on the internet in the 2000s, with many people refusing to believe it was a real plant.

Color meanings

0

rarity

1

wonder

2

natural artistry

Uses

  • botanical curiosity
  • conservation interest
  • ornamental