Impatiens glandulifera
Policeman's helmet, Policeman's Helmet
(c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Balsaminaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Impatiens glandulifera (Policeman's helmet) is a non-native California herb in the Balsaminaceae family, recognized by extreme height and very low elevation habitat.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by extreme height and very low elevation habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed, moist, often shaded sites, streambanks
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Humboldt, Marin
Outside California: to southern British Columbia, northern Idaho, invasive along coast in Oregon, Washington, native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Impatiens glandulifera blooms Apr-Sep.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Catharanthus: Impatiens has spurred flowers and exploding capsules; periwinkle has flat 5-petaled flowers and non-explosive fruits.; vs Pelargonium: Impatiens has a hollow backward spur; geranium has fused stamens and long-beaked fruits.; vs Rosa: Impatiens has irregular spurred flowers; roses have regular 5-petaled flowers.; vs Begonia: Impatiens has symmetrical leaves and spurred flowers; begonia has asymmetric leaves and spurless flowers.; vs Bougainvillea: Impatiens has spurred petaled flowers; bougainvillea has tiny flowers surrounded by colorful bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Impatiens glandulifera native to California?
No. Impatiens glandulifera is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Impatiens glandulifera bloom?
Impatiens glandulifera blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Impatiens glandulifera grow?
Impatiens glandulifera occurs in Humboldt, Marin, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Impatiens glandulifera belong to?
Impatiens glandulifera is in the Balsaminaceae family, genus Impatiens.
Is Impatiens glandulifera invasive in California?
Impatiens glandulifera is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.