English: Himalayan Balsam; Indian Balsam.
German: Indisches Springkraut.
Synonym: Impatiens roylei.
Source: Essence Online.
Family: Balsaminaceae.
Region: Himalayas, India, Pakistan.
Habitat: thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soils along riverbanks, streams, and wet woodlands; in disturbed sites, ditches, and roadsides in temperate regions.
Use: ornamental, for its attractive flowers.
Ecological: highly invasive in many temperate regions.

BotanyHerb; annual; up to 2-3 meters tall; rapid growth and spread.
Root: shallow root system.
Leaves: opposite or whorled; lanceolate to elliptical; with serrated edges and a reddish midrib; dark green.
Inflorescence: racemes, emerging from leaf axils.
Flowers: large; showy; pink to purple, sometimes white; helmet-shaped upper petal, spurred lower petal; ± 3 cm in diameter.
Fruits: explosive seed pods.
Pollination: by bees, butterflies, other insects.