Lancashire Photographer
Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan Balsam: Impatiens glandulifera is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Via human introduction it is now present across much of the Northern Hemisphere and is considered an invasive species in many areas. Uprooting or cutting the plants is an effective means of control.
Why is Himalayan balsam a problem?
Despite typically being found near water, Himalayan Balsam can spread rapidly into adjacent woodlands. It has a negative effect on native plants by shading them out. ... One of the biggest problems caused by Himalayan Balsam is the damage it causes to habitats along banks and riversides, such as fish spawning beds.
Himalayan balsam was introduced as a garden plant in 1839, but soon escaped and became widely naturalised along riverbanks and ditches, especially close to towns. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream.
Our largest annual plant, it flowers from July to October.
Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan Balsam: Impatiens glandulifera is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Via human introduction it is now present across much of the Northern Hemisphere and is considered an invasive species in many areas. Uprooting or cutting the plants is an effective means of control.
Why is Himalayan balsam a problem?
Despite typically being found near water, Himalayan Balsam can spread rapidly into adjacent woodlands. It has a negative effect on native plants by shading them out. ... One of the biggest problems caused by Himalayan Balsam is the damage it causes to habitats along banks and riversides, such as fish spawning beds.
Himalayan balsam was introduced as a garden plant in 1839, but soon escaped and became widely naturalised along riverbanks and ditches, especially close to towns. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream.
Our largest annual plant, it flowers from July to October.