In The Garden: not sure what this plant is

Hi,

I am trying to figure out of this is a wild plant or a flowering plant in my garden? This originally came up in a pot along with another plant I had potted so I transplanted it in my backyard to see if it flowers but its not flowering for the last 2 months except growing bigger and stem thicker.

Can anyone please identify this plant and if I need to pull it out or keep it?

Thanks

 

Not sure the foliage is exactly the same but maybe Impatiens balsamifera, unless it is sprouting from a substantial rootstock.

 

I agree.

 

Thanks Ron and abgardeneer...I googled the name you mentioned and you guys are absolutely correct...it is the Himalayan/Indian balsam and it's apparently quite invasive plant so am gonna get rid of it first thing in the morning...thanks alot for your quick response and identification

 

Sounds like you are talking about Impatiens glandulifera, which is different.

 

Actually, after commenting on this one, I started to reconsider...
Ron, did you happen to mean Impatiens balsamina?

The Plant List doesn't consider Impatiens balsamifera to be a valid species name (and as you've pointed out, himalayan balsam is I. glandulifera though this plant doesn't quite resemble it).

 

Yes, it would be I. balsamina.

 

I got busy in the morning and didn't get a chance to go back to the garden to pull this out. In the evening I saw your replies and compared several characteristics and pics of I.Balsamina and it does look very similar especially the red stem and seed pods. I was reading up on it and found that this plant is a very good plant in terms medicinal uses.

Is this invasive or does it spread quickly? If so should I keep it or remove it?