Impatiens balfourii (Balsaminaceae): First recording from the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey

Authors : Ayse Yazlik

Pages : 13-18

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Publication Date : 2021-06-30

Article Type : Research

Abstract :In here, it has been presented a new first record of Impatiens balfourii Hook.f. (Balsaminaceae) in Turkey, which is the native range in the western Himalayan region. I. balfourii was detected in four different sites in the Düzce province of the Western Black Sea region of Turkey at the beginning of August 2020. It was deliberately introduced to the area where it was first detected (Beyköy) and used as a garden ornamental plant. Then, a survey was conducted to determine whether the related taxon was used in different gardens of Beyköy and the second site was determined. After these determinations, the place where the plant was brought to be used as an ornamental plant was questioned and it was determined that the seeds of the plant were collected from the forest edge habitat of a mountain village (Uğur village). Finally, it was detected by chance on the roadside (Konuralp), ca25 km from the first site. Based on these records, the habitats of I. balfourii are forest edge, stream edge and artificial habitats (roadsides, parks, gardens). This study also provides a botanical identification of I. balfourii. The future spread of this taxon in Düzce should be monitored, considering its high-level plant properties.
Keywords : alien plant, Black Sea region, establish, Impatiens balfourii, ornamental