Bot. Obs. [a F. balsamine, ad. Gr. βαλσαμίνη balsam-plant, f. βάλσαμον: see BALSAM sb. and -INE.] Book name for: a. BALSAM APPLE; b. the plant Balsam (Impatiens Balsamina). Fuchsius had distinguished these as Balsamine mas, and B. femina.
[1542. Fuchsius, Hist. Stirpium. Duo Balsamines genera damus. Primam, quam nos certioris discriminis gratia marem fecimus … Alteram, quam feminam nominauimus.]
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 441. By the name of Balsamine, you must now understand two sorts of apples … The one is called the Male Balsem, or Balme apple.
1794. Martyn, Rousseau’s Bot., xxvi. 407. True Balsam, or more properly Balsamine.
