Tropical Impatiens, also known as Balsam belongs to the Genus Impatiens, which contains over 800 species worldwide. In Paluma, the fast growing Impatiens walleriana used to be found throughout the village and on roadsides and would quickly cover wide areas of shaded ground (indeed it is classified as a weed by Qld National Parks). However it was nearly wiped out by a fungal disease a decade or so ago and is only recently coming back in some areas. Nurseries now sell the hardier (and less weedy) New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri), which comes in a stunning array of colours and is now a staple for most village gardens.