A NEW VARIETY OF IMPATIENS PLATYPETALA (BALSAMINACEAE) IN WEST JAVA, INDONESIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP USING INTERNAL TRANSCRIBED SPACER

Abstract

Impatiens platypetala Lindl. (Balsaminaceae) with a small and white flower variant was recently discovered in West Java, Indonesia. This variant was known for some time but rarely found and collected in the field, thus there is little information on this flora. This specimen resembles I. platypetala based on morphological characters. Phylogenetic analysis using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) was performed to check its relationship with other I. platypetala accessions. The ITS result showed that the small white flower Impatiens was nested in I. platypetala clade, thus this is only a variant of I. platypetala. Therefore, a new variety, I. platypetala var. minialba Utami has been proposed here. A detailed description, notes on habitat and distribution, phenology, conservation status, and photographs of the small and white flower variety are provided.