Balfour's touch-me-not
(Impatiens balfourii)
Herbaceous annual ornamental with showy pink flowers and pods that eject seeds upon maturation.
Other names for this plant include:
- Common names: Poor man’s orchid, Kashmir balsam
Classification in Wisconsin: Restricted
Ecological Threat
- Invades upland forests, wetlands, grasslands, marshes, and stream edges.
- Rapidly reproduces by seed.
- Plants are deer resistant, increasing browse pressures on surrounding desirable vegetation.
Identification
Leaves & stems: Leaves simple, ovate-oblong, acuminate leaf apex (long leaf tip) with serrated margins.
Flowers: Showy, distinct pinkish-purple flowers. Flower petals are fused to form a hood, twin lips, and a prominent spur. 4-8 flowers occur individually on long, erect pedicels (stalks).
Fruits & seeds: Mature capsules eject seeds when touched. Prolific self-seeder. Seed viability is around 18 months.
Roots: Fibrous root systems.
Similar species: Resembles other Impatiens spp: flowers and seed pods.
Control
Mechanical:
- Keep plants from going to seed.
- Cut or mow plants while in flower, before seed maturation.
Chemical:
- Herbicides for control of this species are being explored. 2,4-D has provided effective control of other Impatiens spp.
Resources
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