Himalayan balsam

Himalayan Balsam

©Amy Lewis

Himalayan balsam

Enw gwyddonol: Impatiens glandulifera
As 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.

Species information

Ystadegau

Height: up to 2m

Statws cadwraethol

Invasive, non-native species.

Pryd i'w gweld

July to October

Ynghylch

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 is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream.
Our largest annual plant, it flowers from July to October.

Sut i'w hadnabod

Himalayan balsam has large, pink flowers shaped like a bonnet; these are followed by hanging, green seed pods.

Dosbarthiad

Found mostly in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with some scattered populations in Scotland.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

Also known as 'Indian balsam', Himalayan balsam is originally from the Himalayas. This has earned it the charming nickname of 'Kiss-me-on-the-mountain' in some parts of the UK.

Sut y gall bobl helpu

The Wildlife Trusts work with pest controllers and organisations dealing with alien species to find the most wildlife-friendly solutions to some of our everyday problems.