Additional Resources: Invasive Species Centre It was introduced to Canada in the early 1900s as an ornamental garden flower. Annual reproduction of this plant occurs in the summer, when the flowers are pollinated by insects. Adapted for Northern Ireland Environment Agency 2020 However, humans have played a pretty big part in its successful colonization of the world. It has an explosive seed capsule, which scatters seeds over a … Invasive Species Guide: Himalayan Balsam 1 | P a g e Invasive Species Guide: Himalayan Balsam Photos are sourced from GBNNSS and Groundwork South. • It is listed under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – it is an offence to plant or cause this species to grow in the wild. You see, this isn’t just another invasive weed, it’s a very attractive one. The main issue with this plant is that it’s very aggressive, muscling out native plants until it’s the only one left. Himalayan Balsam is an invasive non-native plant so robust and vigorous that’s it’s become a real problem in the Lake District, smothering and pushing out other indigenous plants in vast swathes along riverbanks and lakeshores. Skip Navigation. Himalayan balsam is widely distributed across Canada and can be found in eight provinces. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glanulifera) is an attractive looking flower, with a stout, hollow stem, trumpet shaped pink/white flowers and elliptical shaped green leaves. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a non-native annual plant that was introduced into parts of Europe during the mid-nineteenth century as an ornamental plant for parks and gardens.This plant species was first recognised as an invasive species and a threat to ecological stability in the 1930’s. This will aid in verification of your report. Mechanical control is an alternative to biocontrol. Background Himalayan balsam is an annual herb, native to the western Himalayas. Foliage The foliage is opposite or whorled. Himalayan Balsam. Invasive Himalayan balsam can also adversely affect indigenous species by attracting pollinators (e.g. 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. 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. Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) Educational Module and Assessment. “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. 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. 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. 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. The stems are purple tinged, hollow and hexagonally angled. Michael Shephard, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org. Now found in most areas of the UK, Himalayan balsam has become an invasive non-native species (INNS) in the UK and is most commonly found on riverbanks, waste ground, and damp areas, and can also thrive in many other habitats. - Or - use the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) online reporting tool, - Or - download the MISIN smartphone app and report from your phone - http://www.misin.msu.edu/tools/apps/#home, Barbara Tokarska-Guzik University of Silesia bugwood.org, Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org - Himalayan balsam leaves. For large, riverside infestations, a specialist invasive species control … WATCH LIST. 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. Also make note of the location, date and time of the observation. Native look-alikes and how you can tell them apart from Himalayan balsam: Himalayan Balsam Invasive Species Alert - Printable PDF, se the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network, http://www.misin.msu.edu/tools/apps/#home, 5 petals per flower-purple, pink, or white in color, Fruit capsules explode when ripe and touched. We take a look at Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), one of the UK’s most invasive and problematic weed species, and the work CABI is doing to combat its spread. In Britain, Himalayan balsam is regarded as one of the top-ten most wanted species that have caused significant environmental impact. In the early 1800s it was introduced to many parts of Europe, New Zealand and North America as a garden ornamental. The problem is that such actions need careful planning, as if the pods are ripe, the slightest touch can cause them to pop, shooting fresh seeds everywhere and keeping the cycle going. U.S. Distribution: Has been introduced to northern states on the east coast as well as the west coast, including Montana and Idaho. • It was introduced as an ornamental plant in the early nineteenth century. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) has quickly become one of the UK s most invasive weed species, colonising river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands. Impatiens glandulifera. 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 … 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. The plant is native to the western Himalayas but is now invasive in many parts of continental Europe. (Impatiens glandulifera) The native range in the western Himalayas is relatively small compared to its invasive range. and protect other plant life. You may be asked to provide your name and contact information if follow-up is needed. Additionally, this species can alter water flow at high densities which increases the risk of erosion and flooding. 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. It is considered a "prohibited noxious weed" under the Alberta Weed Control Act 2010. The seeds can survive for up to 2 years without germinating if they are transported by water. Jan Samanek,Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org. If you liked this story, like & follow us on Facebook for more. Suzannah Iott, MDARD Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, 517-420-0473. In the UK, the plant was first introduced in 1839, at the same time as giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed. Himalayan balsam plants are native to Asia. We have been using mechanical control methods alongside our biocontrol efforts to tackle the Himalayan balsam affecting the River Blythe. This species can tolerate many types of soils. It can be found in wetlands, forests, gardens, yards, and on the side of the road. If possible, please take one or more photos of the invasive species you are reporting. According to Beerling and Perrins (1993), I. glandulifera is native from Kashmir to Garhwal between 2000 and 2500 masl, and Polunin and Stainton (1984) report the plant can grow up to 4000 masl in its native range. When ripe, the seed pods of the Himalayan Balsam will explode at the slightest of stimuli. Commonly found along riverbanks and streams, around ponds and lakes, in wet woodlands and in ditches and damp meadows. Water frequently aids in the transport of seeds long distances. It grows rapidly and spreads quickly, smothering other vegetation as it goes. 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. It reaches well over head height, and is a major weed problem. This plant has covered much of Britain spreading particularly rapidly along riverbanks. Every plant has dozens of pods which contain an average of 800 seeds, so a thicket of  Himalayan Balsam can contain up to 30,000 of these tiny bullets just waiting to take root. It is now considered a pest in many countries throughout the world. That’s particularly problematic on riverbeds, where it leaves vast swaths of land exposed to harsh winters as well as erosion. Himalayan Balsam is, as the name suggests, native to India, more specifically to the Himalayas. Granted, it’s an oddly satisfying experience. Each plant has the ability to spread over 7 metres every season, making it difficult to eradicate without a coordinated approach, particularly around rivers … Interestingly, the plant’s Latin name, Impatiens glandulifera, speaks of its impatience to spread far and wide, using a fascinating evolutionary mechanism. e9 = new Object(); The Himalayan Balsam was introduced in the UK in 1839 as a greenhouse and garden plant, but it only took a few decades for it to escape into the wild. 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. Why is Himalayan balsam such a big problem? Is Himalayan Balsam Invasive? Sustainability. Himalayan balsam seeds can spread up to 20’ away from the parent plant when its seedpods burst. Mechanical control of Himalayan Balsam. Himalayan balsam is an invasive herbaceous plant that was initially introduced to North America as a garden ornamental. Such methods involve physically removing the invasive balsam … It now an invasive weed of riverbanks and ditches, where it prevents native species from growing. Himalayan Balsam Himalayan balsam is very invasive and spreads quickly along watercourses. 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 ( 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 is becoming more widespread and County Galway particularly in damp habitats such as river banks and wet grasslands. Himalayan balsam, UGA2137097, Barbara Tokarska-Guzik, University of Silesia, CC 3.0. 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To combat the effects of Himalayan Balsam on the environment, conservationists regularly organize clearing parties to uproot the plant from particularly sensitive areas. 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. Habitat: Himalayan balsam is an herbaceous, terrestrial, annual plant that thrives in riparian zones. The attractive flowers appear in July with seeds that start to scatter by October not only around the plant, but also onto water. 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. This plant is not on the Prohibited and Regulated Species list and may also be introduced through the horticulture trade. Leaves are lanceolate to lance-ovate with acuminate tips. Other Common Names: Ornamental jewelweed, touch-me-not, Indian jewelweed, policeman’s helmet. Hit enter to return to the slide. It successfully competes with native plant species for space, light, nutrients and pollinators, and excludes other plant growth, thereby reducing native biodiversity. at the heart of a living, working, active landscape valued by everyone. Himalayan Balsam originates from the Western Himalayas. It has been blamed for natural disasters such as landslides and altering the flow of rivers, which leads to flooding. “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.”.