Its flowers are not unattractive but it's a pest! Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is one of the UK's most aggressive, invasive plants. Introduced in 1839, it thrives along riverbanks and in damp woodlands. It outcompetes native flora and causes severe riverbank erosion in the winter. It is illegal to plant or allow it to spread in the wild. It has explosive seed pods that burst and scatter seeds up to 7 metres away. Sadly, it is rapidly taking over the riverside path beyond Saltaire. People periodically do some 'balsam bashing' before it sets seed but that isn't enough to eradicate it. It's now so high that in places it's hard to see the river.
We have pretty much the same problems with it here in Sweden, and it's regarded as invasive here too.
ReplyDeleteThat is sad to hear. I hope that something can be done.
ReplyDeleteIt‘s been around for many years in Germany, too. I mostly see it along rivers, streams and sometimes railway banks. With this very dry summer I think they aren‘t thriving quite so much.
ReplyDeleteI hope it doesn't make the journey across the pond to the US (maybe it's already here; I don't know)
ReplyDeletePS: I found you via tobebeholden...
There are efforts thankfully to keep invasive species under control. But I’m not sure they’re enough. Pretty flowers.
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