Impatiens glandulifera

Policeman's helmet, Policeman's Helmet

Family: Balsaminaceae · Type: perennial · Not Native

Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes

Policeman's helmet is a naturalized perennial found in northern Coast Ranges in disturbed, moist, often shaded sites and streambanks at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces white or purple flowers with dark purple marks, typically 2 to 15 blooms in axillary and terminal clusters. Growing 60 to 250 centimeters tall with erect stems, it has opposite or whorled leaves with distinctive gland-like stipules. Its leaves are narrow-lanceolate to ovate, 3 to 18 centimeters long with serrated edges and sharp pointed tips. The fruit develops in a distinctive club-shaped form, characteristic of this invasive species.

Habitat: Disturbed, moist, often shaded sites, streambanks

Bloom period: Apr-Sep

Elevation: < 100 m

Bioregions: n NCo

California counties: Humboldt, Marin

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.