California Invasive Plant Council

Impatiens glandulifera

Synonyms: Balsamina glandulifera, Balsamina macrochila, Balsamina roylei, Impatiens candida, Impatiens cornigera, Impatiens glanduligera, Impatiens macrochila, Impatiens moschata, Impatiens royleana

Common names: Himalayan balsam, ornamental jewelweed, Indian balsam, policeman's-helmet

Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam) is a succulent annual that is native to the Himalayas and introduced into many other temperate regions. It was introduced into Europe and likely North America as an ornamental but has naturalized and spread quickly since then across much of its introduced range. Its stems are flesh, leaves are simple, hairless, have serrated edges, and an unpleasant odor. Flowers are pendulous, bee pollinated, and range in color from white to dark pink. Seeds are released explosively from capsules. Long-distance dispersal is primarily via waterways and contaminated materials. This species grows quickly and competes primarily with other taller understory riparian plant species, displacing them over time. Its rapid spread and effect on native understory cover contribute to its assessment as a a high risk for future invasion.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

CDFA Rating: None?

Explanation of CDFA ratings

• A – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and is either not known to be established in California or it is present in a limited distribution that allows for the possibility of eradication or successful containment.
• B – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is of limited distribution.
• C – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is usually widespread.
• D – An organism known to be of little or no economic or environmental detriment, to have an extremely low likelihood of weediness, or is known to be a parasite or predator.
• Q – An organism or disorder suspected to be of economic or environmental detriment, but whose status is uncertain because of incomplete identification or inadequate information.
• * – An asterisk next to the rating indicates that a plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds.
• -* – This plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds, but is otherwise not rated.

More details

Assessment(s)

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

Weed Management Notes

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Impatiens glandulifera Information

• Bugwood - National database from the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
• EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
• GBIF - Global distribution information.
• Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
• USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
• The Plant List - Global taxonomic resource and collaborative clearinghouse from Kew Gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Missouri Botanic Garden and others.

Additional photos