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orchid-like flowering beauty

by Deborah
(Hinckley NY)

Found this beauty growing between my daughter's and neighbor's house in Calgary, in drainage gravel and sun only for about one hour early afternoon! Most certainly an accident as there is no landscaping/ gardening effort at all next door, I have searched the wild flower books and found nothing.
The plant has a very thick stem, one inch at the base which is rhubarb colored, melting into green on the way up. Flowers are gorgeous and orchid-like. I have a lreger version of this pic, struggled to size it down to meet site requirements.

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orchid-like flowering beauty

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Dogbane?
by: Anonymous

I am wondering if it is also known as dogbane? My sister-in-law has some in her yard. She told me it was poisonous to dogs? I am wondering if this is what it is...
A plant with many names
by: Kathy

Deborah -
The name is "impatiens glandulifera", with many common names such as Himalyan Balsam. Poor Man's Orchid, Policemans Helmet, Indian Touch Me Not, and Ornamental Jewelweed, also have heard it referred to as Alaska Orchid. It is in the family Balsaminaceae, same genera as Impatiens or Busy-lizzies, but much taller. Prefers some shade and moisture. Seed capsules explode on maturity, and a single plant can have upwards of 800 seeds. A good idea to remove flower heads before they mature. I let some of mine go ahead and seed, and if they are where I don't want them, they are easy to pull up while still young.
This plant grows wild here in BC, and is listed as a noxious weed. I first saw it in Northern Alberta, so it must be quite hardy.

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