Five new species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from southern Western Ghats, Kerala

Five new species of Impatiens, viz. Impatiens flavispicata, I. filcyii, I. ninanii, I. xanthopetala, and I. berchmansiensis, are described from the southern Western Ghats of Kerala. I. flavispicata resembles I. courtallensis and I. herbicola; I. filcyii is similar to I. periyarensis and I. aliciae; I. ninanii is allied to I. cheruthoniensis; I. xanthopetala shows similarity to I. flavescens and I. inconspicua and I. berchmansiensis is similar to I. herbicola.

The newly described taxa are readily distinguished from their allied species by strong character combinations. Detailed descriptions, along with SEM analysis of pollen, photographs, and distribution maps, are provided.