The spread of invasive Himalayan balsam is now so bad that drivers who see it growing along roadside verges are being encouraged to stop and pull it out or contact the council immediately. Although Himalayan balsam is an attractive plant, it has rapidly become one of the UK’s most widespread invasive weed species, colonising river banks, waste land, damp woodlands, roadways and railways. It prefers moist soils but will grow pretty much anywhere. The plant has an explosive mechanism by which ripe seeds are hurled from the plant, to enlarge the colony or be carried away by water to fresh ground - the … It prefers moist soils but will grow pretty much anywhere. It grows rapidly and spreads quickly, smothering other vegetation as it goes. Himalayan Balsam can very quickly be identified through the cluster of purple/pink, helmet-shaped flowers it produces. 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. Graham Rudd 2018-10-01T17:21:34+00:00. The flowers range from purplish-pink to almost white in colour and are slipper shaped, appearing on long stalks between June and October. Himalayan balsam spreads quickly as it can project its seeds up to four metres. Many seeds drop into the water and contaminate land and riverbanks downstream, but the explosive nature of its seed release means it can spread upstream too. Stems are hollow. Himalayan balsam saplings begin to appear in March and as adult plants can reach a height of 3m.
Although it will send up lots of annoying little suckers if chopped back, that is the extent of its invasive capabilities. Read our guide on plants that look like Japanese Knotweed including Bindweed, Himalayan Balsam, Bamboo, Russian Vine and more. Plants are very invasive and can cover large areas – particularly close to watercourses. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an introduced summer annual that has naturalised in the UK, mainly along riverbanks and ditches. Japanese knotweed in spring: The first signs of Japanese Knotweed growth, Usually the early signs of growth are seen in mid-March Himalayan balsam will grow up to around 1-2m high and between roughly June and October, it will produce a cluster of purple/pink helmet-shaped flowers that has been compared to a policeman’s helmet. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an annual plant native to the Himalayas.
It reaches well over head height, and is a major weed problem. The plants have pinky-red hollow jointed stems and shiny green lance shaped leaves. Himalayan balsam. Himalayan Balsam Species Impatiens glandulifera. Also know as Policeman’s Helmet, Bobby Tops and … Teams of workers are pulling up 'jungles' of Himalayan Balsam before it can fire its seeds up to 20 feet away to start new colonies. WHAT IS HIMALAYAN BALSAM? And like Japanese Knotweed, it also has a hollow stem. Lilac. 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. Himalayan Balsam is the tallest annual plant in the UK growing up to 3 … Identifying Himalayan Balsam. What does Himalayan balsam look like? Himalayan Balsam is commonly found adjacent to watercourses, in damp ground, and increasingly on roadside verges. This garden favourite is often a plant mistaken for Japanese knotweed, with its spade shaped leaves and lush green foliage.
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an introduced summer annual that has naturalised in the UK, mainly along riverbanks and ditches.
Himalayan Balsam is tolerant of shade and it is now impossible to map the location of rivers using distribution maps of Himalayan Balsam because it has moved into woodland habitats and moist soils too. Often nicknamed the Police Helmet plant, Himalayan Balsam can grow up between 1-2 metres high. How Himalayan Balsam looks similar to Japanese Knotweed. Just like Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam is a fast grower; it can quickly cover a large area and grow as tall as 2.5 metres. Introduced as a garden ornamental in the mid-19th century, it now successfully competes… 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.It grows rapidly and spreads quickly, smothering other vegetation as it goes.