Policeman’s Helmet

Impatiens glandulifera

Plant Description

Flower shape resembles British policeman’s helmet. Plant is herbaceous annual that pops up in spring and grows a single tall reddish stem with whorls of green, lance shaped leaves and showy purple to pink orchid-like flowers at the terminus.

Plant Details

Life Forms	Forb
Habitats	Ditches Riparian areas Roadsides Swamps
ODA Listing	B
Soil and Moisture Conditions	Moist to wet
Suggested Actions	Report to Oregon Invasives Hotline Use BMPs to control on private property
Shade Preference	Full sun Part shade
Mature Height	3-10'
Distribution	Not known in Marion County, but can be found in and around Portland
Control	Hand pull small patches before they flower, allow roots to air dry.
Disposal Methods	Before flowering, plants can be piled and allowed to dry in place. After flowering, remove and bag flower heads to prevent seed set.
Reproduction and Spread	Seeds pop from seed heads. Dispersal is by boots, equipment, and water as the seeds can float.
Introduced	Originated in the Himalayan region of India
Look Alikes	other impatiens
Impact	Highly invasive, aggressive invader of Wetlands, Streams and moist woodland; displaces native and beneficial plants; Contributes to flooding and erosion by changing or stopping water movement.
More Info	https://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/water-and-land/weeds/BMPs/policemans-helmet-control.pdf