Plant Identification Help

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Deborah McCormick, Sep 26, 2011.

  1. Deborah McCormick

    Deborah McCormick Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Campbellford Ontario Canada
    Hi there everyone: I just finished my yearly compost discard hunt hehe. The blooms remind me of a giant snap dragon or related to the sweet pea family. The stalk is huge about 2-3 inches in diameter. The foliage reminds me of a fuscia with some burgundy veining. The plant is about 3-4 feet high and it has quite the massive root system.
    I am not even sure if it is an outdoor garden plant or an indoor house plant. I am located in zone 5b. If anyone can offer any thing on this beauty i would really appreciate. Is it invasive, does it like full sun?
    Thanks in advance
    Deb
     

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  2. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Location:
    Britain zone 8/9
    Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera. Yes, invasive.
     
  3. Deborah McCormick

    Deborah McCormick Active Member 10 Years

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    Hi Michael F: Thanks so much for the quick response and your wealth of knowledge
    I am going to try and overwinter it
    Regards,
    Deb
     
  4. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Location:
    sw USA
    It's an annual plant. It is also called "touch me not" because it has 'exploding' seed pods that can eject the seeds when touched. It is generally high on the list of invasive plants that cause problems. It is found on invasive species lists for Ontario.

    I took the train from Vancouver to Seattle a few years back and I could hardly believe the vast territory that this plant had covered.
     
  5. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Yes, please do not harbor this nuisance plant.
     
  6. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Location:
    PERTHSHIRE. SCOTLAND.UK
    Oh no! Please try to kill it. Yes, it is very beautiful, BUT.....
    Everywhere it grows it just takes over. it is so very vigorous that nothing else can survive under it, so all native flowers are swamped by it.
    As Eric says it explodes into huge areas, especially along river banks.
    It is a real problem plant. A pest. A thug.
     
  7. Deborah McCormick

    Deborah McCormick Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
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    Hi thanks so much for all the valuable info. The responses have been consistent as to "it is invasive".
    Regards,
    Deb
     

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