Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera

Features

Annual plant. The common names policeman's helmet, bobby tops, copper tops, and gnome's hatstand all originate from the flowers being decidedly hat-shaped. Himalayan balsam and kiss-me-on-the-mountain arise from the plant originating in the Himalayan mountains. Ornamental jewelweed refers to its cultivation as an ornamental plant.

Species	Annual and biennial plant
Living space	Cultivated areas, Lake, Meadow, Pond, River edge, Swamp, Wet site
Size	up to 2 m

Description

It grows up to 2 m in height. The stem is rough, hollow, with concave knees. The flowers are in a 2- to 14-flower cluster. At maturity, the head opens with two elastic flaps. It originates from South Asia. In Europe, it spread as an ornamental plant and went wild along rivers.