The plant is attracted to damp areas like river banks, where it grows in clusters that can reach 10 feet (3 m.) in height. Habitat Description: Himalayan Balsam grows in moist and semi-shaded damp places including waste ground, and thin woodlands. This is often because the plant grows in inaccessible areas or sites of high conservation status where chemical and/or manual control is not an option. Written by. It has an explosive seed capsule, which scatters seeds over a distance of up to 7m. However, despite the plant being valued for these reasons, Himalayan Balsam is actually … 3 MB. Apart from its attractive flowers, the exploding seed pods made it uniquely appealing. Since it was introduced, it has spread to most parts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. sterilised bottles Tree cookies: thin slices of sustainably-harvested branches, to make discs of 5-10cm diameter, and decorated with permanent pens or a pyrography pen. Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera) is a very attractive but problematic plant, especially in the British Isles. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an introduced summer annual that has naturalised in the UK, mainly along riverbanks and ditches. Land managers often give up when faced with controlling Himalayan balsam over a large area due to… These seeds can travel a short distance through the air or miles and miles if they get caught up in a river or stream. The species has the ability to regrow from the lowest node in the same season therefore control efforts need to remove the It’s important to time your Himalayan balsam control so you don’t inadvertently spread more seeds. This shows how easily this invasive species to the UK, spreads its seeds away from the plant . In the early 1800s it was introduced to many parts of Europe, New Zealand and North America as a garden ornamental. If you’re getting rid of Himalayan balsam plants by hand, let the cut plants lie on the ground in the sun for a few days to dry out and die before composting them. . If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. In the early 19th century, they were brought to the British Isles to be planted in gardens, and before long they escaped into the wild, where they continue to cause a number of serious problems. Plants can grow up to 3m tall, making this the tallest annual species growing wild in the UK. You see, this isn’t just another invasive weed, it’s a very attractive one. Himalayan Balsam is an annual plant and produces colourful flowers. It commonly grows along linear corridors which facilitate its spread such as rivers or disused railway lines. Foliage The foliage is opposite or whorled. “The problem with it is that it creates quite vast stands which compete with our native flora,” Emma Harrington, of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, told the BBC. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an exotic-looking annual that has pink, helmet-shaped flowers (also known as "policeman’s helmet”), rapid growth, and an entertaining mode of explosive seed dispersal. Often nicknamed the Police Helmet plant, Himalayan Balsam can grow up between 1 … Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The threat of the Himalayan Balsam has been compared to that of Japanese Knotweed, another invasive plant the spread of which has so far proved virtually impossible to control. Its exploding seed pods allow the plant to rapidly spread into nearly impregnable thickets that reach over 3-meters-tall, smothering all other plant life to death. It was introduced to Kew Gardens in 1839 and is thought to have mainly been spread by people passing seeds to each other. 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It escaped into the wild and is now recorded throughout the UK, particularly along the banks of watercourses. The most effective method of controlling Himalayan balsam is cutting and hand pulling. It is vehemently hated by some and actively persecuted by others. Elderflower cordial: made in the spring, stored in the fridge, then decanted into small sterilised bottles Home-made sloe gin: made in the autumn and then decanted into (larger!) Himalayan Balsam is an annual plant and produces colourful flowers. There was a time when the plant was marketed as a novelty attraction for children, under the name ” Mr. Noisy’s Exploding Plant”, and despite its now known invasive tendencies people still love popping those pods every chance they get. It was introduced to the UK in 1839 and is now a … Impatiens glandulifera, commonly known as the Himalayan Balsam, is an invasive plant with a very peculiar colonizing system – its seed pods literally explode when touched or otherwise disturbed, shooting the seeds up to 7 meters in every direction. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Growing and spreading rapidly, it successfully competes with native plant species for space, light, nutrients and pollinators, and … How to Make a Magical Himalayan Balsam Gin • Craft Invaders By foraging for this free food you can help your budget and the environment. Himalayan balsam is the tallest annual plant in Europe; each stem can be 2.5 metres tall. Himalayan balsam is an annual herb, native to the western Himalayas. The tall, pretty pink flower spikes of rosebay willowherb ( Chamaenerion angustifolium ) are a common sight on railway banks and disturbed woodland. Himalayan Balsam has an orchid shaped flower resembling a British policeman’s helmet, which gave rise to its other common name of “Policeman’s helmet”. The more seeds we eat, the fewer seeds there will remain to spread this plant. Himalayan Balsam is, as the name suggests, native to India, more specifically to the Himalayas. Wild Summer flower cordial and Pine needle cordial. Himalayan balsam plants are native to Asia. Himalayan balsam is an attractive, non-native invasive terrestrial plant species. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is known to many people as an attractive plant with a familiar sweet scent, and a reputation for being a good nectar source for bees. “In the winter it dies back and leaves bare soil, so then you’ve got a risk of soil erosion and it can contribute to flash flooding.”. Controlling Himalayan balsam is a two part endeavor – removing existing plants and preventing the spread of seed. The plant is an annual, so if caught early it quickly vanishes. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is. Related. Himalayan Balsam is a common weed familiar to everybody. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) has rapidly become one of the UK’s most widespread invasive weed species, colonising river banks, waste land, damp woodlands, roadways and railways.It reaches well over head height, and is a major weed problem. It flowers predominantly in July and August and is particularly prevalent either side of the Brig o Dee, the Persley Bridge , the Diamond Bridge, along Seaton Park and at Donmouth. It is also commonly referred to as Indian Balsam. This cordial is perfect for introducing nettles to the family as a food stuff, another great example is our easy stinging nettle crisps. Sign up for our newsletter. Himalayan balsam is an annual, however, and it dies back in the winter, leaving bare spaces that would normally be inhabited by native grasses. Appearance Impatiens glandulifera is a succulent annual than can be 3-10 ft. (0.9-3 m) tall. Commonly found along riverbanks and streams, around ponds and lakes, in wet woodlands and in ditches and damp meadows. However, it does have some redeeming features and whilst I can understand the reasons for it being much despised I feel somebody has to speak up in support of this controversial but defenceless and, even though invidious of me to say it, invaluable plant! Simply touching them with your finger, dangling the plant stem or even walking past them can cause the pods to pop, launching the seeds meters away in every direction. Himalayan balsam is native to the Himalayas, specifically to the areas between Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Herbicides also work but only as a last resort. Granted, it’s an oddly satisfying experience. A native of the Western Himalaya, it was introduced in 1839 to Kew Gardens as a greenhouse exotic. A native of India and Pakistan, the Himalayan Balsam has managed to invade 23 European countries, as well as the United States, Canada and even New Zealand. You may have seen Himalayan Balsam when walking along the banks of the River Dee or the River Don. Please tell us the format you need. That’s particularly problematic on riverbeds, where it leaves vast swaths of land exposed to harsh winters as well as erosion. Between June and October it produces clusters of purplish pink (or rarely white) helmet-shaped flowers. Because it is so tall, it will often shade out shorter native plants. To fight Himalayan balsam, plants must be chopped down, or pulled up as they come into flower in June or July. It is also a vigorous producer of nectar, which draws pollinators away from native plants, putting their pollination and reproduction in jeopardy. It grows in dense stands and can be up to 2m tall. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) has rapidly become one of the UK’s most invasive weed species, colonising river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands. Due to human introduction, it has now spread across much of the Northern Hemisphere. However, humans have played a pretty big part in its successful colonization of the world. . A pint glass full of your favourite wild edible flowers with all the green bit removed or for a really floral drink, two pint glasses. Leaves are lanceolate to lance-ovate with acuminate tips. Like other balsam flowers, the plant reproduces by seed, and it will put out up to 800 of them every year. Traditional control methods are currently inadequate in controlling Himalayan balsam in the UK. Himalayan balsam is a tall growing annual, 2-3m (6-10ft) in height. This leaves the river banks vulnerable to serious erosion. 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