POLICEMAN’S HELMET

Class: Impatiens glandulifera

Family: BALSAM FAMILY

Sub Family: Balsaminaceae

Year: Annual

Other Names: Large Touch-me-not

Colour: Pink

Height: 60 cm-1.2 m (2-4')

Each Flower: Large and showy, of complicated structure; large lower sepal 2-lobed, often purple-spotted, extending backwards into sac-shape, terminating in short, recurved spur

Leaves: Usually opposite, may be whorled, blades pointed-elliptic, finely serrated with pinkish veins; stout, smooth, reddish stalk 2-5 cm (3/4-2")

Stems: Flower-stems and main stem, smooth, reddish

Blooming Period: July - September

Habitat: Moist to wet places along roadside ditches, and streams

Note:

Whole plant exudes milky juice when injured