The mature capsules burst, sending seeds up to several meters away. Public Domain - Released by Wouter Hagens/via wikipedia - CC0 : Leaves and stem: Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam); … They are highly invasive not just because they are fast growing but each plant can produce up to 800 seeds. Note crab-spider on flower (Misumena vatia; Araneae, Thomisidae). It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Colonising rail and river banks, wastelands and woodlands, Himalayan balsam was introduced to the British Isles in 1839 by Victorian plant hunters who were keen on its beautiful pink flowers and exploding seed pods. The largest annual plant in Britain, growing up to 2.5m high from seed in a single season. My flower border is full of flowers, roses included. The flowers are also edible and are used in jellies and wines. 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. Please do not sow seeds of Himalayan Balsam, its incredibly invasive and will smother out native plants! Himalayan balsam: This weed is not known to be naturalised in Victoria: Habitat: It grows in forest up to the timber line, as well as more open and disturbed habitats, relative frost tolerance (Tabak & von Wettberg 2008). Generally, Himalayan balsam grows to just over 2 metres tall and can be seen flowering in the middle and end of summer. Derek. It is pollinated by bumble-bees. What you may not know about Himalayan Balsam is that it is a highly edible plant. Himalayan Balsam grows in tight stands and forms a mat of roots. In areas with a high density of plants, strimming or cutting are effective control measures, but all stems must be completely severed below the lowest node (or joint). The plant produces a large amount of nectar which may result in less pollination of native species by bumblebees and a subsequent loss of biodiversity. Clearing Himalayan balsam (Impatiens balsamifera) at Parke, Bovey Tracey, Devon, with a tractor and topper. Control efforts aim to prevent the plant from flowering and setting seed, as the seeds are explosive and can spread viable seed over large areas. • Mature seed pods explode when ripe, spreading seeds up to 7m from the parent plants. The plant has had plenty of time to establish in the UK and, over the last 50 years, has spread rapidly. The genus Impatiens occurs in Africa, ... More problematic is the Himalayan balsam (I. glandulifera), a densely growing species which displaces smaller plants by denying them sunlight. By . Himalayan balsam is a fairly common and widespread weed nowadays! Home / Articles / himalayan balsam seeds. Himalayan balsam is listed on the Third Schedule of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011 (S.I. It’s important to time your Himalayan balsam control so you don’t inadvertently spread more seeds. Hi Ruby, As it is an annual and only roots a couple of inches deep it's hardly a plague that needs dealing with. Himalayan balsam spreads quickly as it can project its seeds up to four metres. Seeds can spread up to 5 m from the parent plant. These seeds are stored in fruit capsules at the top of the plant, which when mature or prodded explode, spreading them far into the air and over a wide area (up to seven metres). himalayan balsam seeds. There are 4-16 seeds per pod and each plant can produce 800 seeds. The exploding seed pods of Himalayan balsam scatter for a distance of up to 7 metres. 18/7/2014 10:14:08 pm. Himalayas (Northern Pakistan, Kashmir, India) What does it look like? In the UK armies of volunteers spend thousands of hours destroying this weed. Himalayan Balsam seed. Tolerates a wide variety of soil types, favours shaded and nutrient rich (SWIS 2009). Seeds are also transported via water courses. If not the plant will regrow in a candelabra effect producing even more seeds. However, the seeds only remain viable in the soil for a year or two. Moist localities, river valleys (Cigic 2003). It was introduced to Kew Gardens in 1839 and is thought to have mainly been spread by people passing seeds to each other. It was introduced to the UK in 1839 for ornamental … Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream. Distribution. Description Himalayan balsam is an annual plant (it completes its lifecycle within one year), which grows to 2m tall with rough, reddish stems, shiny oval leaves about 15cm long with a red vein, and bright purple-pink flowers from June-September. Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam); flower and seed pods. 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