08/19/2026
Have you seen this crunchy flowering plant? Did you know it is actually a noxious w**d?
Policeman’s helmet (Impatiens glandulifera), AKA Himalayan balsam or jewelw**d, is native to the Himalayas. It's flowers can be white, pink, or purple, and can grow rapidly, crowding out native plants. Large infestations can contribute to erosion and disrupt natural water movement.
It’s also a particularly effective seed spreader. Its seed pods can burst open when touched, launching seeds up to 20 feet away. If you're pulling these w**ds, make sure to bag the seed pods first!
In Washington, policeman’s helmet is a Class B noxious w**d, meaning control is required in designated areas. It is also on Washington’s quarantine list, making it illegal to buy, sell, or offer it for sale.
Recently, we were pulling policeman’s helmet near Lake Sammamish. Removing invasive plants provides native vegetation and wildlife with the best chance to thrive, including species like the native (and non-ocean-migrating) Kokanee salmon found in Lake Sammamish!!
Healthy lakes depend on healthy shorelines and surrounding ecosystems. Protecting our lakes isn’t just about what happens in the water, it starts on the land around them as well.
