In Britain, Himalayan balsam is regarded as one of the top-ten most wanted species that have caused significant environmental impact. Himalayan balsam, UGA2137097, Barbara Tokarska-Guzik, University of Silesia, CC 3.0. Water frequently aids in the transport of seeds long distances. Commonly found along riverbanks and streams, around ponds and lakes, in wet woodlands and in ditches and damp meadows. Himalayan balsam. Invasive Species Guide: Himalayan Balsam 1 | P a g e Invasive Species Guide: Himalayan Balsam Photos are sourced from GBNNSS and Groundwork South. It successfully competes with native plant species for space, light, nutrients and pollinators, and excludes other plant growth, thereby reducing native biodiversity. Himalayan Balsam originates from the Western Himalayas. 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. If you liked this story, like & follow us on Facebook for more. Additional Resources: Invasive Species Centre For large, riverside infestations, a specialist invasive species control … Skip Navigation. 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. The plant was introduced to the UK in 1839, and Himalayan balsam is now a naturalised plant, initially marketed as having ‘herculean proportions’ and ‘splendid invasiveness’ (The Open University 2005) which meant that people could buy them relatively cheaply. Meet the plant. 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 glanulifera) is an attractive looking flower, with a stout, hollow stem, trumpet shaped pink/white flowers and elliptical shaped green leaves. and protect other plant life. *Detected in Michigan* Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) has quickly become one of the UK s most invasive weed species, colonising river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands. Other Common Names: Ornamental jewelweed, touch-me-not, Indian jewelweed, policeman’s helmet. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera) is a relative of the “busy lizzy” but reaches well over head height and is a major weed problem.It is native to the western Himalayas and in the early 1800’s was introduced to many parts of Europe as a garden ornamental, it has since become an invasive plant as it grows rapidly and spreads quickly, smothering other vegetation as it goes. Himalayan balsam is widely distributed across Canada and can be found in eight provinces. It is considered a "prohibited noxious weed" under the Alberta Weed Control Act 2010. 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. The plant is native to the western Himalayas but is now invasive in many parts of continental Europe. Suzannah Iott, MDARD Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, 517-420-0473. insects) at the expense of indigenous species. Jan Samanek,Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org. Smaller than Himalayan balsam, growing to a height of 1.2 Flower is similar in shape but orange in colour Orange balsam is much less aggressive than Himalayan balsam, forming dense stands . Also make note of the location, date and time of the observation. The attractive flowers appear in July with seeds that start to scatter by October not only around the plant, but also onto water. Such methods involve physically removing the invasive balsam … Impatiens glandulifera. Each plant has the ability to spread over 7 metres every season, making it difficult to eradicate without a coordinated approach, particularly around rivers … 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. 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. The stems are purple tinged, hollow and hexagonally angled. Mechanical control of Himalayan Balsam. If possible, please take one or more photos of the invasive species you are reporting. That’s particularly problematic on riverbeds, where it leaves vast swaths of land exposed to harsh winters as well as erosion. Himalayan balsam seeds can spread up to 20’ away from the parent plant when its seedpods burst. at the heart of a living, working, active landscape valued by everyone. 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 as an ornamental plant in the early nineteenth century. The main issue with this plant is that it’s very aggressive, muscling out native plants until it’s the only one left. We have been using mechanical control methods alongside our biocontrol efforts to tackle the Himalayan balsam affecting the River Blythe. It has an explosive seed capsule, which scatters seeds over a … Mechanical control is an alternative to biocontrol. This annual bamboo like plant is very recognizable by its flowers that resemble an English ‘policeman’s helmet’ and by the whorled leaves, usually in threes, and a recognizable purple and reddish stalk. It can be seen along several trails and roadsides in Prince Edward Island. You may be asked to provide your name and contact information if follow-up is needed. . This species can tolerate many types of soils. Fruit capsules explode when ripe and touched Habitat: Himalayan balsam is an herbaceous, terrestrial, annual plant that thrives in riparian zones. Himalayan balsam is an invasive herbaceous plant that was initially introduced to North America as a garden ornamental. 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. 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. The Balsam has these beautiful purple flowers that people love so much that they historically spread seeds in the wild just so they could see them on the sides of roads. Appearance Impatiens glandulifera is a succulent annual than can be 3-10 ft. (0.9-3 m) tall. It was introduced to Canada in the early 1900s as an ornamental garden flower. This plant has covered much of Britain spreading particularly rapidly along riverbanks. “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 Invasive Species Identification and Control Guide Species Description Himalayan Balsam is a native species to the western Himalayans in North India. As its name suggests, Himalayan balsam is from the Himalayas and was introduced here in 1839. 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