Kashmir Balsam

Kashmir balsam (Impatiens balfourii) is sometimes called the "Poor Man's Orchid." Native to the Himalayas, particularly Kashmir and surrounding areas, it normally grows at elevations of 5,000 to 6,000 feet. It was brought by Europeans as a garden plant and soon became popular in the San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of the United States. This plant prefers to grow in wetlands, marshes, upland forests, and riversides. You can spot it easily by looking for its two lower yellow dotted pink or lavender petals and whitish upper petals that extend from its opening. This plant reproduces effortlessly at large distances because the seed pods burst from the wind or light touch when they are ready and can launch up to 20 feet!