It was introduced to Kew Gardens in 1839 and is thought to have mainly been spread by people passing seeds to each other. 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. Click here for the latest Himalayan Balsam information leaflet. Invasive Himalayan balsam can also adversely affect indigenous species by attracting pollinators (e.g. Himalayan Balsam can grow between 6 to 10 feet tall and is easily identifiable by its slightly serrated green oval shaped leaves, edged in red. Even if you accidentally cause this plant to grow you could face criminal charges. Hexagonal fleshy hollow stems that are reddish in colour. Himalayan Balsam • It grows in dense thickets, often along waterways (see picture no. 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. Identification. Himalayan balsam grows up to 3 metres high with a hollow and bamboo-like … It was introduced to Britain from India in 1839, and promoted as an alternative to the orchids grown by those wealthy enough to have greenhouses. Himalayan Balsam was one of my successes. Annual reproduction of this plant occurs in the summer, when the … Its common name is “Policeman’s Helmet” due to the shape of the flowers. Legislated Because. Hanging explosive seed pods that can throw seeds over 7 metres away from the plant. Although very attractive in appearance, Himalayan Balsam is a pest and one of the most rapidly spreading Invasive weeds in the UK. Invasive Species Guide: Himalayan Balsam 1 | P a g e Invasive Species Guide: Giant Hogweed Photos are sourced from GBNNSS, Tom Richards and RPS group Plc. The flowers range from fuchsia to pale pink in colour and tend to appear between June and October, followed by seed pods … 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”. Himalayan or Indian balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an annual herb and was introduced to Britain in 1839. The stem of a Himalayan Balsam plant will be hollow, red-jointed, and hairless. Invasive Species - (Impatiens glandulifera) Watch List Himalayan Balsam grows 3-6 feet tall and has purple/red stems that are smooth and hollow. Branches arise from the stem joints. Himalayan Balsam. Identification of Himalayan balsam. Dark green lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges and pointed tips. Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum Invasive Species Identification and Control Guide Species Description Giant Hogweed is a species native to the Caucasus mountains in South West 2. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glanulifera) is an attractive looking flower, with a stout, hollow stem, trumpet shaped pink/white flowers and elliptical shaped green leaves. Puccinia komarovii var. Himalayan Balsam identification. glanduliferae var. Several photographs of Himalayan Balsam and a description of the plant. It is also commonly referred to as Indian Balsam. ... Himalayan balsam is listed under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Himalayan Balsam Species Impatiens glandulifera. Identification of Himalayan Balsam is very important, as it is advised that if you note the presence of it in your garden, you should take steps to remove it from the site. It grows in dense stands and can be up to 2m tall. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 141:247-266. Himalayan balsam is an invasive herbaceous plant that was initially introduced to North America as a garden ornamental. Identification Leaves – Slender, oval and shiny about 15cm long with a red vein running up the middle. It was introduced to Canada in the early 1900s as an ornamental garden flower. Including rivers/streams is important. The pink/purple bonnet shaped flowers are 2.5 – 4cm long. Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera ) is a relative of the busy Lizzie, but reaches well over head height, and is a major weed problem, especially on riverbanks and waste land, but can also invade gardens. Talk to adjacent land owners Identification Before, around 1978, I don’t remember these Balsam plants growing, but soon after, they had spread, using the numerous streams which fed the upper River Irwell. Although sometimes sold as an ornamental, this native of Asia has been added to the Washington State Noxious Weed list due to its invasive nature. Consider surrounding properties and potential for reintroduction. • Individual plants reach 2-3m have translucent fleshy stems, pink-purple slipper-shaped flowers and large oval pointed leaves with obvious teeth around their edges (see above and pictures no. Leaves are lanceolate with serrated edges, stalked, shiny, dark green with a reddish midrib. nov.: a fungal agent for the biological control of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). It is an offence to plant this species or to cause it to grow in the wild. Himalayan Balsam grows between 1 and 2 metres in height with 2 or 3 serrated green leaves being arranged at node points along the green / red stems. Confirm Himalayan balsam identification. The genus name Impatiens, means "impatient", and refers to its method of seed dispersal. Himalayan balsam also promotes river bank erosion due to the plant dying back over winter, leaving the bank unprotected from flooding. Himalayan Balsam. If you […] The seedpods open in such a way that the seeds are thrown several metres away from the parent plant, helping the species to rapidly spread – often quoted as 20 metres in all directions per season. We would recommend you also look elsewhere for further information, possibly not covered on these pages. Himalayan Balsam is seen Spring to Autumn and is best treated in early Summer. In autumn the plants die back, leaving the banks bare of vegetation, and therefore liable to erosion. Identification. It has an explosive seed capsule, which scatters seeds over a distance of up to 7m. Identification. Himalayan balsam is widely distributed across Canada and can be found in eight provinces. Large pale pink-purple trumpet flowers in June – October. Himalayan Balsam Identification. Grows up to 3 metres tall. It can be seen along several trails and roadsides in Prince Edward Island. It is illegal to move soil which contains its seeds and accidentally spreading them and its growth. Policeman's helmet, also known as jewelweed or Himalayan balsam, thrives in moist areas and riparian zones. Himalayan Balsam is a distinctive plant with reddish jointed stems and long, green, oval-shaped leaves. The fruit capsules explode when ripe and touched. 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. The leaves are 6 – 15cm long, lance shaped, with … Tanner RA; Gange AC, 2013. Himalayan balsam is an aggressive invader of wetlands, streams and moist woodlands where it displaces native and beneficial vegetation, causing a loss in native biodiversity. Himalayan Balsam Identification and Control Himalayan Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Himalayan balsam grows in dense clumps and is a herbaceous annual plant, which is easily identifiable when mature. Himalayan Balsam. A very invasive, non-native plant which is illegal to grow or cause the growth of. Its exploding seeds meant it quickly escaped gardens and it is now established as an invasive species across most of the world. 3. Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera Invasive Species Identification and Control Guide Species Description Himalayan Balsam is a native species to the western Himalayans in North India. The plant likes to grow on river banks where it easily establishes, forms large patches and spreads quickly by seed. The plant was introduced to the UK in the early 1940’s by the horticultural industry. Himalayan Balsam originates from the Western Himalayas. So expert advice should be your first port of call. Carry out a survey and produce a distribution map indicating the location across the site. Of vegetation, and therefore liable to erosion a pest in many countries throughout the world shiny 15cm. 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