Balfour's touch-me-not (Impatiens balfourii) on Sep 10, 2015
Originally reported as Policeman's Helmet (Impatiens glandulifera)
Submitter does not have a specimen
EDRR Status: Local expert notified
Description of specimen
Species is actually Impatiens balfourii--or Himalayan balsam, not Impatiens glandulifera. Only one specimen was seen, but did not enter courtyard of establishment. Did not see others in the immediate area. Phenology: Photos are from August 29th--flower and immature seed was present.
Commentary
Expert Reviewer
Tania Siemens
WISE Program Coordinator (Watershed and Invasive Species Education)
Oregon Sea Grant Extension
Oregon State University
tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu
541-914-0701
Michelle Delepine
Sept. 10, 2015, 5:17 a.m.
Thanks so much for reporting Impatiens balfourii. I added this plant to the list available on the hotline and confirmed the identification. I agree this plant need to be watched. I have seen it around in Eugene and it seems to have the potential to spread. However, I am not that familiar with its invasive status here or elsewhere. Are you seeing it spread in West Multnomah as well? I will forward this report along with your pokeweed report to contacts at the City of Eugene, and hopefully they can give us some indication of a response plan. Thanks again for reporting! Please keep them coming!
Take care,
Tania
Tania Siemens
Watershed and Invasive Species Education (WISE) Program
Oregon Sea Grant
Oregon State University
cell: 541-393-2404 email: tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu
http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/invasive-species/wise
Tania Siemens
Sept. 20, 2015, 7:30 a.m.
I have seen this Impatiens species in one location in West Multnomah. Jeff Lesh reports that I. balfourii "is escaping from ornamental plantings in places. We are treating it where it escapes."
Michelle
Michelle Delepine
Sept. 21, 2015, 2:50 a.m.