What’s the problem? Himalayan Balsam, spoiling aesthetics and reducing the diversity of wildlife along the river. Our regular Volunteer groups are always on the look-out for new members - join in, it’s great fun, costs nothing and you will learn new skills, visit lovely places, get healthy exercise and fresh air – and at the same time contribute to the improvement of some of our best wildlife habitats. Himalayan balsam - Impatiens gladuliera flower. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream. Control of invasive non-native species . strimming Himalayan Balsam on the slopes of the Beaminster Tunnel. 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. Related . Himalayan balsam is a plant native to the Himalayas and was introduced to Britain by Victorian plant hunters. Targeted eradication and control of the five invasive non-native species in certain areas of the country. Himalayan balsam is sometimes cultivated for its flowers. It spreads through local seed dispersal. Himalayan balsam; Menu. Himalayan balsam -seed dispersal . 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. And time spent attacking balsam is time not spent on other important wildlife conservation tasks. Conservation-minded organisations including the Environment Agency are often involved in removing it. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera) Species Identification Height: A tall, annual herb growing up to 2.5m Stem : Hollow brittle stems which are light green/ red early in the year, turning pink/red in summer. Control of invasive non-native species - Himalayan balsam. Himalayan Balsam Control Background Information: In July and August last year, a ‘call to arms’ issued to a range of volunteers resulted in 27 people turning up to attack a huge area of Himalayan Balsam in woodland above Elterwater quarries which had become badly infested. Local names include Nuns and Jumping Jack, as well as Policeman's Helmet, Bobby Tops and Gnome's Hatstand which refer to the fact that the flower is decidedly hat-shaped. Himalayan Balsam Species Impatiens glandulifera. Out-competes native species in ecologically sensitive areas, particularly river banks. Himalayan Balsam - Impatiens glandulifera Edible plant with caution - novice Other common names: Indian Balsam, Nuns, Jumping Jacks, Bobby Tops, Copper Tops, Gnome’s Hatstand, Jewelweed, Ornamental Jewelweed, Policeman’s Helmet, Kiss-me-on-the-Mountain Scientific name meaning: Impatiens originates from Latin and means "impatient". Like other balsam flowers, the plant reproduces by seed, and it will put out up to 800 of them every year.These seeds can travel a short distance through the air or miles and miles if they get caught up in a river or stream. - Stems are soft and can be cut with ease. My research has been assessing the success of each method, and comparing their cost effectiveness. It is the tallest annual plant (completes its life cycle in one year) in Ireland growing up to 3m high. - On uneven ground it can be difficult to get below the lowest node. Himalayan balsam is one of the species we keep track of in our Wildflowers Count survey - click here to find out how you can help out. However, despite the plant being valued for these reasons, Himalayan Balsam is actually one of the most problematic weed plants that we have in the UK. Himalayan Balsam also causes a less obvious problem for native species. Each plant can produce up to 800 seeds per year. Seeds can be transported by water which helps this weed to spread quickly along waterways. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an invasive terrestrial plant species that was first introduced as an ornamental garden plant and is spread exclusively by seed.Since it was introduced, it has spread to most parts of Ireland. Himalayan balsam flowers may be white, light pink, dark pink, purple, or multicoloured. Chemical control Users must be aware of the risks involved when using chemicals to control any plant especially as it tends to grows near water. Small infestations of Himalayan balsam can be controlled by hand-pulling the whole plant, including roots, in April and any new growth in September; or by regular grazing, strimming or the application of herbicides. Habitat. Rural Priorities. The flower has five petals, one of which forms a hood over the flower. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Family. 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. Himalayan balsam: controlling it on your land, file type: PDF, file size: 3 MB . Control of Himalayan Balsam should ideally happen when the plants have grown to a good height, but have not yet flowered. For large, riverside infestations, a specialist invasive species control company should be consulted. Commonly found along riverbanks and streams, around ponds and lakes, and in ditches and damp meadows. Did you know? Where is it originally from? Introduced as a garden plant in the early 19th century it is now widespread in the UK, especially along urban rivers. Himalayan balsam - Impatiens glandulifera A tall, attractive, annual herb with pink-purple flowers and explosive seed heads. Origins. Himalayan balsam (HB) (Impatiens glandulifera) is another highly invasive plant which has very successfully managed to spread from gardens into the wild across the UK. The first record of it being planted in gardens is 1839. Description. Impatiens glandulifera. Farming, Forestry and Rural Issues. If you encounter Himalayan balsam please enter the details into our log. Himalayas (Northern Pakistan, Kashmir, India) What does it look like? What will this achieve. Himalayan balsam is an alien invasive plant introduced to Ireland in the mid 19th Century mainly by Victorian gardeners. Leaf: Finely serrated slender to elliptical leaves, often with a reddish mid-rib. Strimming, scything or pulling up by the roots effectively kill Himalayan balsam but the scale of the task and nature of the habitats, with swampy ground or steep riverbanks, make this very labour intensive work. The Himalayan balsam is a tall, annual, late-blooming plant. It is the tallest annual plant in the Ireland and can grow to a height of 7m (2m typical). I am a contractor for the Countryside Council for Wales the Environment Agency Wales and the Forestry Commission Wales in a joint project to eradicate Himalayan Balsam … However the flowers produce more nectar than any other native European species making it more attractive to bees and other insects, luring them away from pollinating our native flowers. HB is an annual plant that reproduces from seed. A clump of plants with flowers of different colours is a lovely sight. How volunteers can help. Himalayan Balsam identification . 3 MB. Strimming and trimming for cosmetic effect is not recommended. Himalayan Balsam is a distinctive plant with reddish jointed stems and long, green, oval-shaped leaves. Himalayan balsam Botanical Name. This is usually around June. Balsam Blog 1 Hi my name is Thomas and I wish to share experiences on dealing with the control of Himalayan Balsam. 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