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The City of Portland, Oregon

Environmental Services

working for clean rivers

Phone: 503-823-7740

Fax: 503-823-6995

1120 SW 5th Ave, Suite 613, Portland, OR 97204

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What does it look like?

Policeman’s helmet can be over six feet tall, a height completely unknown in native impatiens species. Magenta to pale pink flowers sport a spur at the back, like all impatiens species. In policeman’s helmet, though, the spur is shrunk down to a nub, and usually bent sharply over or even against the body of the flower (see photo below). Leaf edges will be fairly to dramatically toothed. Seedpods will explode when dry, scattering seed in all directions:  shield your eyes.

 policeman's helmet

magenta to pale pink flowers

policeman's helmet

leaves with jagged edges