Baker's flower

hiltonpierobon · September 2018

This flower is growing a pot in front of our paneteria in Northern Italy. It is about a meter high, with flowers shaped like those of a snapdragon, though larger. It is an annual and seems to have a growth habit similar to cleome. The baker called it "Bell'Om", or Handsome Man, though I've found nothing on the internet with such a common name that looks remotely similar. I promised the baker to find the true name, and she gave me some seeds. Thanking you all in advance for any suggestions.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/p8/dbbgebj4excf.jpg

Silver surfer · September 2018

The flowers are Impatiens sp.
However the hairy seed pods are very different from Impatiens balsamina that grows wild in UK.
On searching www I have found pics that match your plant's seed pods

https://www.google.com/search?q=impatiens+hairy+seed+pod&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=pnXA3Ne6uwULFM%3A%2Cn8VGbBpnMnPwvM%2C_&usg=AI4_-kRKdnmXQjQtL2ceT2DzKWbPI9kdVg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjVrNyitdHdAhVN3qQKHc2yCzUQ9QEwAHoECAAQBA#imgrc=pnXA3Ne6uwULFM:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hairy+seed+pods+impatiens&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjc7beKt9HdAhXBDuwKHfcTDIIQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=938#imgrc=TC979uw2YrW4WM:

hiltonpierobon · September 2018

Dear Silver Surfer, I followed the links that you recommended, and read up on this Impatiens. I do think that you have hit it! They mentioned that a common name is "touch me not" for the way the seed pods burst to the slightest pressure, and these pods did just that. I am looking forward to my next bakery trip to be able to share the name. Thank you/Mille grazie!

Baker's flower

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