who introduced himalayan balsam

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Who brought Himalayan balsam to UK?

VictoriansHimalayan balsam, a relative of the busy Lizzie, was introduced into the UK by the Victorians in the early 19th century as an ornamental garden plant. It has since spread aggressively out of gardens onto river banks and wasteland, particularly in the north and west of the country.

When was Himalayan balsam introduced to the UK?

1839Himalayan Balsam was introduced to the UK in 1839 as a greenhouse and warm garden plant and, within a few years had escaped into the wild.

How did the Himalayan balsam come to Ontario?

The Himalayan balsam is an annual plant native to the Himalayan region of Asia. It was introduced to North America in the early 1800s as an ornamental plant and as a hitchhiker in the ballast water of ships. This plant is highly invasive, particularly in riparian areas and wetlands.

What is another name for Himalayan balsam?

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.

When was Himalayan balsam introduced?

1839As its name suggests, Himalayan balsam is from the Himalayas and was introduced here in 1839. It now an invasive weed of riverbanks and ditches, where it prevents native species from growing.

Is Himalayan balsam native to UK?

A non-native invasive plant. The largest annual plant in Britain, growing up to 2.5m high from seed in a single season. Himalayan balsam spreads quickly as it can project its seeds up to four metres.

Where is Himalayan balsam originally from?

South AsiaHimalayan balsam is also known as Policeman's helmet. Originally from the Himalayan region of South Asia, this plant can take over areas with moist soils, including stream and riverbanks.

Does Himalayan balsam have any uses?

They are useful for substituting in cakes instead of nuts for those with nut allergies and ground himalayan balsam seeds can be substituted for ground almonds. The flowers can also be used to make floral jams and jellies or added to salads.

Is Himalayan balsam toxic?

Hazards Himalayan Balsam contains high amounts of minerals, so should not be consumed in great quantities. In addition, it contains calcium oxalate, which is harmful in volume in its raw state. However, cooking thoroughly breaks this down. Always stay safe when foraging.

What animals eat Himalayan balsam?

Firstly, although it is eaten by animals like cows, sheep and deer, they don't particularly favour this plant (they have no evolutionary reason to) and it grows in some difficult-to-reach areas, so they can't make a significant dent in its numbers.

How was the Himalayan balsam introduced to Ireland?

Himalayan Balsam was introduced into Ireland as an ornamental plant by the Victorians.

Is Himalayan balsam medicinal?

Herbal Medicine Uses of Himalayan Balsam The flowers have cooling properties, and the leaves have been used to soothe burns. In addition, the seeds are diuretic, and the root juice treats hematuria (blood in the urine).

Is Himalayan balsam notifiable UK?

Himalayan Balsam is not a notifiable weed. SEPA/ The Environment Agency does not have an obligation to control it. Furthermore, if it is present on your land, you are not legally obliged to remove/control it, but you should try to ensure it does not spread.

Is Himalayan honeysuckle invasive UK?

IRE: 086 250 8805 UK: 0800 0488 348 Himalayan honeysuckle is an alien (non-native) invasive plant, meaning it out-competes crowds-out and displaces beneficial native plants that have been naturally growing in Ireland for centuries.

Is it illegal to grow Himalayan balsam?

The Act makes it an offence to grow Himalayan Balsam in the wild. 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.

Is Himalayan honeysuckle the same as Himalayan balsam?

One plant that is often confused with Himalayan Balsam and Knotweed is Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria Formosa). Although it is also a non-native species it is not known to cause any damage so don't panic if you find this growing in your garden.

Where is Himalayan balsam native to?

Abstract Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) is a highly invasive annual herb, native to the western Himalayas, which has spread rapidly throughout Europe, Canada and. the United States since its introduction as a garden ornamental. The plant can rapidly …. Current Research and Knowledge Gaps.

What is the flower of Himalayan balsam?

Flowers: Himalayan balsam’s pink flowers are a key ID feature in the late growing season. The flowers have a hooded shape and look similar to a policeman’s helmet.

How does Himalayan balsam reproduce?

Annual reproduction of this plant occurs in the summer, when the flowers are pollinated by insects. The insects may transfer pollen between flowers of conspecifics or from the same plant. Himalayan balsam typically grows to 1-3 m in height, with a soft green or red-tinged stem, and toothed leaves 5-23 cm long.

What does a Himalayan balsam flower look like?

When seed capsules mature and dry, they will explode when touched, shooting seeds in all directions! Himalayan balsam flowers have a hooded shape that looks similar to a policeman's helmet. Order: Ericales. Family: Balsaminaceae.

How to control Himalayan balsam?

Smaller infestations can be easily controlled by hand-pulling, as the root of Himalayan balsam is very shallow. However, management should only take place if there are no visible seeds, as disturbing the seeds can lead to further infestation in the disturbed soil. If management must take place when seeds are present (typically in late May), place a bag over the top of the plant to avoid further dispersal. As the seeds are not very robust and only last about 18 months, management can be completed in two years as long as proper disposal has occurred and all plants have been removed.

How big is a Himalayan balsam flower?

Himalayan balsam flowers are pink, with a hooded shape, 3-4 cm tall and 2 cm broad; the flower shape has been compared to a policeman’s helmet.

How does Himalayan balsam affect biodiversity?

Himalayan balsam produces dense stands, creating monocultures and reducing biodiversity by limiting nutrient and habitat availability and shading out native plants.

Where did Himalayan balsam come from?

It identified that Himalayan balsam had been introduced into the British Isles on more than one occasion, from multiple locations within the native range. The study identified key regions in the native range to survey for additional rust strains.

What is the process of germination of Himalayan balsam seedlings?

With the onset of the spring and an increase in temperature, Himalayan balsam seedlings germinate. The increased temperature also induces the germination of the teliospores. The teliospores germinate to produce the fourth spore stage, basidiospores, which are projected from the teliospore onto the seedling just as they are germinating.

Why is Himalayan balsam not controlled?

This is often because the plant grows in inaccessible areas or sites of high conservation value where chemical and/or manual control (weeding) is not an option. Land managers often give up when faced with controlling Himalayan balsam over a large area due to the inaccessible places where the plant grows.

What is the natural enemy of balsam?

One natural enemy, a rust fungus, which was seen causing significant damage to Himalayan balsam, was exported to our quarantine facility in the UK in 2010 to undergo extensive safety testing.

Does Himalayan balsam die in the winter?

As an annual plant, Himalayan balsam dies back in the winter and, where the plant grows in river systems, can leave river banks bare of vegetation and liable to erosion. Dead plant material can also enter the river, increasing the risk of flooding.

Is Himalayan balsam invasive?

Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera) has rapidly become one of the UK’s most invasive weed species, colonising river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands. It successfully competes with native plant species for space, light, nutrients and pollinators, and excludes other plant species, thereby reducing native biodiversity.

When was Himalayan balsam introduced?

Himalayan Balsam was introduced to the UK in 1839 as a greenhouse and warm garden plant and, within a few years had escaped into the wild. Once growing, Himalayan Balsam can spread at a fearsome rate and the problem here is now so huge that in the central Lake District alone, our Rangers and volunteers spend at least 50 days between them tackling ...

How high can Balsam grow?

This highly effective method of self-propagation creates dense thickets of Himalayan Balsam up to 2.5m high, leaving little or no space for other native species to compete.

Is Himalayan balsam an alien plant?

Himalayan Balsam – it’s an alien plant invasion. 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.

Where does Himalayan Balsam grow?

Himalayan Balsam has escaped into the wild in the UK and is very common in Wales and England. It is less frequent in Scotland and western parts of Northern Ireland.

How to identify Himalayan Balsam?

It’s important that you understand some key features that can help to identify the plant, although professional verification should be conducted before any removal plans are undertaken. Here are some of the key features to look out for:

How does Himalayan Balsam spread?

Himalayan Balsam spreads via seeds, with each plant producing up to 800 seeds. These seeds are dispersed via exploding seed pods which can propel the seeds up to 6 metres. The seeds are also spread by humans and other wildlife by attaching them to clothes or fur. Due to their growth near rivers, Balsam seeds can also be transported downstream by floating in the water.

How to get rid of balsam?

1. Excavate. The most effective method in eradicating Himalayan Balsam from construction sites is to excavate the contaminated area down to depths of 6 metres. This ensures that any seeds that are left in the soil are removed.

What are the characteristics of balsam?

Here are some of the key features to look out for: 1. Leaves. The leaves are mid-green in colour and oval in shape with serrated edges. They often reach sizes of 15cm in length and form in opposites or clusters of 3-5. 2. Flowers. Balsam flowers are pink/purple in colour and more rarely can be seen in white.

How long does balsam seed last?

Due to their growth near rivers, Balsam seeds can also be transported downstream by floating in the water. Seeds can persist in soils for around 18-24 months, however, there have been cases in which the seed persistence has reached up to three years.

What color are balsam flowers?

2. Flowers. Balsam flowers are pink/purple in colour and more rarely can be seen in white. They are shaped like a helmet and reach sizes of 3-4cm. They have a sweet-scented smell. 3. Seed Pods. The pod is mainly green with a reddish-brown ting near the stem.

What is a Himalayan balsam?

Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glanulifera) is an attractive looking flower, with a stout, hollow stem, trumpet shaped pink/white flowers and elliptical shaped green leaves. It grows in dense stands and can be up to 2m tall. It has an explosive seed capsule, which scatters seeds over a distance of up to 7m.

How to control Himalayan balsam?

An alternative option for controlling Himalayan balsam is to cut them with a strimmer or a hand tool e.g. a weed slasher or a scythe. The important thing when cutting is to make sure that the stem is cut below the first node i.e. close to the ground. If cut higher the plant will re-grow.

How did the safflower spread?

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.

When to remove Himalayan balsam?

The best time for removing Himalayan balsam is the summer, between May – July/Aug. The seeds only persist for around 18 months in the soil, so populations can be eradicated after 2 or 3 years of consistent control.

Does Himalayan balsam attract insects?

Himalayan balsam grows in dense stands and it shades out and crowds out many native species. It produces much nectar and therefore is attractive to pollinating insects, possibly to the detriment of native flowering plants (which are no longer visited by these insects and thus don’t get pollinated).

Is Himalayan balsam a perennial or annual?

Himalayan balsam is widespread throughout our project area and is a common sight on many river banks. Balsam is an annual plant, so it grows, flowers, seeds and dies all within one season. The aim of control work is to remove the plant before seeding occurs - so in the early summer months, critically before the seeds ripen and seed pods 'explode' scattering seeds.

Is balsam more efficient than hand pulling?

We have been using this technique where we have large, monoculture stands of balsam - in these circumstances it is quicker and more efficient than hand pulling.

Why do balsam trees die in the fall?

As well as causing problems for native species, Himalayan balsam also increases the risk of riverbanks washing away because it stops the more long-lived plants such as grasses, which bind the soil with their roots, from growing. This means that when the balsam plants die in the autumn they leave bare patches of soil, which can be more easily washed away by rain.

When was it introduced?

Himalayan balsam was first introduced to the British Isles in 1839 as a garden plant, and by 1855 it had escaped gardens and was growing in the wild. It is now found along riverbanks and in other areas with damp soils, including marsh and woodland. It is widespread in England and Wales, and is also found in Scotland, Northern Ireland and EIRE.

When was Himalayan balsam first introduced?

In the UK, the plant was first introduced in 1839, at the same time as giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed. These plants were all promoted at the time as having the virtues of "herculean proportions" and "splendid invasiveness" which meant that ordinary people could buy them for the cost of a packet of seeds to rival the expensive orchids grown in the greenhouses of the rich. Within ten years, however, Himalayan balsam had escaped from the confines of cultivation and begun to spread along the river systems of England.

Where did balsam spread?

Within ten years, however, Himalayan balsam had escaped from the confines of cultivation and begun to spread along the river systems of England. It has now spread across most of the UK, and some local wildlife trusts organise "balsam bashing" events to help control the plant.

Where did the name "Kiss Me on the Mountain" come from?

Himalayan balsam and kiss-me-on-the-mountain arise from the plant originating in the Himalayan mountains. Ornamental jewelweed refers to its cultivation as an ornamental plant.

Where is Balsamina roylei native to?

Balsamina roylei (Walp.) Ser. Impatiens macrochila Lindl. Impatiens roylei Walp. Impatiens glandulifera is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Via human introduction it is now present across much of the Northern Hemisphere and is considered an invasive species in many areas.

Is Himalayan balsam a weed?

Its aggressive seed dispersal, coupled with high nectar production which attracts pollinators, often allow it to outcompete native plants. Himalayan balsam also promotes river bank erosion due to the plant dying back over winter, leaving the bank unprotected from flooding. Invasive Himalayan balsam can also adversely affect indigenous species by attracting pollinators (e.g. insects) at the expense of indigenous species. It is considered a "prohibited noxious weed" under the Alberta Weed Control Act 2010.

When was Himalayan balsam rust approved?

Both regulators supported the release of the Himalayan balsam rust in the UK. On the 23 July 2014, the Himalayan balsam rust was approved for release by Defra Ministers making this the first fungal biological control agent to be released against a weed in the European Union.

Is Himalayan balsam native to the British Isles?

To address this, a molecular study, was conducted and identified that Himalayan balsam in the British Isles fall into three groups. This confirms the hypothesis that the species had been introduced into the British Isles on more than one occasion, from multiple locations within the native range.

Is Himalayan balsam invasive?

Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera) has rapidly become one of the UK’s most invasive weed species, colonising river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands. It successfully competes with native plant species for space, light, nutrients and pollinators, and excludes other plant growth, thereby reducing native biodiversity.

Does Himalayan balsam grow aggressively?

Without these natural enemies, Himalayan balsam is able to grow more aggressively and has a greater ability to reproduce, giving it an advantage over native species. Traditional control methods are currently inadequate in controlling Himalayan balsam in the UK. This is often because the plant grows in inaccessible areas or sites ...

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