Abstract: Two forms of pollen morphology of Impatiens L. (Balsminaceae) have been described before: 3-colpate and 4-colpate pollen grains. Pollen grains of 13 species of Impatiens on Mt. Omei were examined under SEM for the first time and both forms were observed here, which imply the diversity of species in this region. Of the two forms, 3-colpate one is quite similar to that of the genus Hydrocera Blume (Balsaminaceae) in external morphology. This relation also exists between the 3-colpate pollen group and Hydrocera in habit, habitat, and distribution, etc. It is supposed that the group with 3-colpate pollen type is a natural one, and may have a close relationship with Hydrocera. The pollen morphology is of important significance in classification of the taxa and evaluation of systematic position in the fami-ly balsaminaceae.

Key words: Impatiens, Pollen morphology