It is also a vigorous producer of nectar, which draws pollinators away from native plants, putting their pollination and reproduction in jeopardy. Himalayan Balsam. It grows in dense stands and can be up to 2m tall. Meet the plant Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glanulifera) is an attractive looking flower, with a stout, hollow stem, trumpet shaped pink/white flowers and elliptical shaped green leaves. An alternative option for larger, monoculture stands of Himalayan balsam, on easily accessible level ground, is cutting using a strimmer or mower, before the plant sets seed. August 19, 2020August 19, 2020 News. (Impatiens glandulifera) Himalayan Balsam, commonly known as Indian Balsam and Policemans Helmet, is an invasive non native annual plant which has quickly infested the banks of British waterways shading out the native British plants that stabilise river banks through our winter months. At the end of year five there must be no Rhododendron, Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed or Himalayan balsam present on the treated area. Home | News | Scottish trial of Himalayan balsam biocontrol gets underway, Scottish trial of Himalayan balsam biocontrol gets underway It prefers moist soils but will grow anywhere. It is locally c… Find out more about the persistent Japanese knotweed, the problems it causes and what we are doing about it. Himalayan Balsam was added to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in April 2009 in Wales and England. It grows mostly on river banks and in damp woodlands. The Scottish Government website provides details of non native species. It was introduced into Kew Gardens, and has spread via its seeds – both individuals passing on the seed to others for garden planting and seeds floating down rivers before becoming lodged in soft muddy banks and germinating. Himalayan Balsam was added to schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Wales and England. England, Scotland and Ireland. The pulling technique must be undertaken so that whole plant is uprooted and normally best done if pulled from low down the plant - If snapping occurs at a node the pulling must be completed to include the roots. It is not native to the UK and the species originates from the Himalayan areas of Pakistan, India and the Kashmir region. Although you are allowed to have Himalayan Balsam on your property, it is an offence to allow the invasive plant to spread someone else property. Control of movement of soils contaminated with seed. The genus name Impatiens, means \"impatient\", and refers to its method of seed dispersal. Contact UsAbout UsOur Partners and Funders, Privacy Notice & Cookie Policy Download the … Tweed Forum is a registered non-profit making company limited by guarantee (SC191466) with charitable status (SC030423). General advice on funding. The species is particularly frequent along the banks of watercourses, where it often forms continuous stands. The attractive flowers appear in July with seeds that start to scatter by October not only around the plant, but also onto water. Read more about our work to control Himalayan balsam in the Tweed catchment. Himalayan balsam is beginning to take hold on the banks of the River Bervie in Inverbervie. Scottish trial of Himalayan balsam biocontrol gets underway August 19, 2020 Tweed Forum have been working with CABI scientists on a novel project to suppress the invasive non-native plant species Himalayan balsam using one of its natural enemies – a rust fungus. It is sometimes seen in gardens, either uninvited or grown deliberately, but care must be taken to ensure that it does not escape into the wild. Impatiens glandulifera, known as Himalayan balsam, Indian balsam, policeman’s helmet and jewelweed, belongs to the Balsaminaceae family: the touch-me-not family. The seeds only persist for around 18 months in the soil, so populations can be eradicated after 2 or 3 years of consistent control. We’ll be working with groups and volunteers to undertake much of our Himalayan balsam removal work. Accessibility Our Tweed Invasives Project Officer, Emily, was out this week recording the level of rust fungus infection at these 7 sites and things are looking very promising thus far. The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) - a project led by Scottish … Read more about our work to control Himalayan balsam in the Tweed catchment. Himalayan Balsam Control, Treatment and Removal for clients in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Scotland & across the UK Himalayan Balsam can produce over 700 exploding seeds, projecting them to a distance of 7 metres! Correct disposal of garden waste. A native of the Western Himalaya, it was introduced in 1839 and is now recorded throughout Britain. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an introduced summer annual that has naturalised in the UK, mainly along riverbanks and ditches. This nationwide biological control trial involves other trusts across the UK and Tweed Forum will be coordinating the first release of the biocontrol in Scotland (following on from trials on the English Tweed). This leaves the river banks vulnerable to serious erosion. Himalayan Balsam is a non-native species that is wide spread throughout the River South Esk catchment. Its present distribution was probably helped by a number of people - see Professor Ian Rotherham's articles on invasives e.g. What? Tweed Forum have been working with CABI scientists on a novel project to suppress the invasive non-native plant species Himalayan balsam using one of its natural enemies – a rust fungus. An explosive seed capsule, which draws pollinators away from native plants putting! 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