Himalayan Balsam identification . Targeted eradication and control of the five invasive non-native species in certain areas of the country. - Stems are soft and can be cut with ease. It is now widely established in other parts of the world (such as the British Isles and North America), in some cases becoming a weed. Control of invasive non-native species . 3 MB. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream. Indian balsam, policeman’s helmet , Impatiens roylei. Over four work days, 26 SNPA staff and Snowdonia Society volunteers assisted to clear the Himalayan Balsam from a 1.86 hectare area, through picking, strimming and spraying herbicide. Himalayan Balsam Species Impatiens glandulifera. Did you know? It is the tallest annual plant in the Ireland and can grow to a height of 7m (2m typical). What’s the problem? 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. 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. It spreads through local seed dispersal. Introduced as a garden plant in the early 19th century it is now widespread in the UK, especially along urban rivers. Balsam Bash 2015. Himalayan balsam - Impatiens gladuliera flower. And time spent attacking balsam is time not spent on other important wildlife conservation tasks. 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. Control of invasive non-native species - Himalayan balsam. For large, riverside infestations, a specialist invasive species control company should be consulted. Himalayan Balsam is a distinctive plant with reddish jointed stems and long, green, oval-shaped leaves. 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. 3rd Picture 8th May 2015, 1 year on, native growth returns. What will this achieve. Himalayan Balsam also causes a less obvious problem for native species. 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 is an aggressive invader of wetlands, streams and moist woodlands where it displaces native and beneficial vegetation, causing a loss in native biodiversity. How volunteers can help. If you encounter Himalayan balsam please enter the details into our log. 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. Habitat. PDF. Himalayan balsam is a plant native to the Himalayas and was introduced to Britain by Victorian plant hunters. My research has been assessing the success of each method, and comparing their cost effectiveness. 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. 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". It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Himalayan Balsam, or Impatiens glandulifera, to use its scientific name is a large, annual plant species native to, as its name suggests, the Himalayan mountains of East Asia.Growing alongside the colossal peaks and quaint streams of Nepal, Myanmar and other nearby nations. Description. The shape of a flower reminded someone of a traditional policeman's helmet worn in Britain, giving the plant one of its alternate names. Himalayan balsam is Britain’s tallest annual plant with each plant tending to be around 1-2 metres high, although they can reach a height of 2.5 metres in some cases! Related . However it may be easier to leave them until the end of June, start of July, when the plants have flowered, as they will be easier to spot. SNPA staff and some of the volunteers. 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. Himalayan balsam Himalayan Balsam control along the River Seph. 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. strimming Himalayan Balsam on the slopes of the Beaminster Tunnel. It spreads quickly and forms dense thickets, altering the ecological balance and character of wetland habitats. 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. Volunteer groups are always after new recruits to help the fight. Commonly found along riverbanks and streams, around ponds and lakes, and in ditches and damp meadows. Contract Ecology Ltd is a conservation led contractor and we appreciate that there will be sites and clients with an objective to avoid chemical treatment wherever possible. The first record of it being planted in gardens is 1839. Regular strimming of larger areas is also an option, as long as it is done often enough to prevent flowering. - Requires proper site access. It forms dense stands in favorable environs, mostly riverbanks. Strimming and trimming for cosmetic effect is not recommended. Rural Priorities. Balsaminaceae (balsam) Also known as. Consent to use specific herbicides near UK waterways must be sought from the Environment Agency. Himalayan balsam flowers may be white, light pink, dark pink, purple, or multicoloured. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Himalayan Balsam is now listed under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and it is an offence to plant it in the wild or otherwise cause it to grow in the wild. This Option is for the targeted control of five invasive non-native species Rhododendron ponticum, Giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, and Grey Squirrels. - On uneven ground it can be difficult to get below the lowest node. Group Members and friends attend the balsam bash day, which resulted in a large area being cleared, the groups plan is now to return periodically to pull out any stragglers. It is the tallest annual plant (completes its life cycle in one year) in Ireland growing up to 3m high. Eradication may be possible in two to three years unless your site is being colonised by seeds from further upstream. Seeds are dispersed by exploding seedpods which can scatter seeds approximately 7m from the plant. Each plant can produce up to 800 seeds per year. Himalayan balsam; Menu. The flower has five petals, one of which forms a hood over the flower. Volunteers have an important role. 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. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is. Himalayan balsam Botanical Name. Impatiens glandulifera. Like many flowering plants, Himalayan Balsam produces a sugary nectar to attract insects. Balsam Blog 1 Hi my name is Thomas and I wish to share experiences on dealing with the control of Himalayan Balsam. Himalayan balsam monoculture on the river Camel, Cornwall, UK. Please tell us the format you need. ... Strimming - Great for quickly removing large established populations. Family. It can be identified by a pink, slipper-shaped flower which has a sickly sweet smell. Himalayas (Northern Pakistan, Kashmir, India) What does it look like? Himalayan balsam is an alien invasive plant introduced to Ireland in the mid 19th Century mainly by Victorian gardeners. Farming, Forestry and Rural Issues. A clump of plants with flowers of different colours is a lovely sight. 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. In this instance, we recommended Himalayan balsam control using mowing and strimming. Its aggressive seed dispersal, coupled with high nectar production which attracts pollinators, often allow it to outcompete native plants. Leaf: Finely serrated slender to elliptical leaves, often with a reddish mid-rib. - A repeat cut can be used to tackle regrowth. Control of Himalayan Balsam should ideally happen when the plants have grown to a good height, but have not yet flowered. Himalayan balsam is found across Wales most commonly along waterways and in damp places. Himalayan balsam - Impatiens glandulifera A tall, attractive, annual herb with pink-purple flowers and explosive seed heads. Above Left to right, before 29th May 2014 Balsam Present and After Strimming 31st May 2014. Where is it originally from? The large white, pink, or purple flowers resemble a giant snapdragon with a large upper and lower ‘lip’. Seeds can be transported by water which helps this weed to spread quickly along waterways. HB is an annual plant that reproduces from seed. This is usually around June. Himalayan Balsam Control – Mowing/Strimming. It has a very effective mechanism for spreading its seed; its seed pods pop in sunny weather or when touched, spreading the seeds by up to 7m. According to Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offense in England and Wales to allow Himalayan Balsam … These were strimming, and spraying the plants with herbicide. Out-competes native species in ecologically sensitive areas, particularly river banks. Conservation-minded organisations including the Environment Agency are often involved in removing it. Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020 . However, given their common habitat near waterways, the seeds are also spread by water especially when land … Himalayan balsam -seed dispersal . Himalayan Balsam, spoiling aesthetics and reducing the diversity of wildlife along the river. 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. It’s seen as a troublesome invader in many countries as it’s claimed to outcompete native plants and lure pollinators away from them. Himalayan balsam: controlling it on your land, file type: PDF, file size: 3 MB . 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 … Origins. 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 (HB) (Impatiens glandulifera) is another highly invasive plant which has very successfully managed to spread from gardens into the wild across the UK. 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