Himalayan Balsam - Invasive Species Information

What is Himalayan Balsam - (Impatiens glandulifera)?

Habitat: Terrestrial. Prefers wet & damp areas.
Distribution in Ireland: Abundant across Ireland

Status: Established
Family name: Balsaminaceae

Reproduction: Each plant can produce up to 1500 seeds a year and their explosive pods can shoot seeds up to 7m away, which then stick to shoes and car tyres. Bees are also attracted to the flowers and can spread the seeds widely.

Himalayan balsam is an alien invasive plant introduced to Ireland in the mid 19th Century mainly by Victorian gardeners.

Himalayan Balsam - (Impatiens glandulifera) Exploding Seed pod

Himalayan Balsam - (Impatiens glandulifera) Flower

Himalayan balsam seed dispersal

Himalayan balsam - Impatiens gladuliera flower

It is the tallest annual plant in the Ireland and can grow to a height of 7m (2m typical).

Every year Himalayan balsam grows exponentially and it’s reached a point where people are starting to notice it everywhere.

Himalayan Balsam is often found in ditches, ponds, canals and riversides for example but it is increasingly being seen on just slightly damp ground, such as road verges and hedgerows with wet or damp soil..

Even mowing verges and roadsides often does not catch all the plants, and they can quickly regain ground of even just a few are allowed to seed.

How To Identify Himalayan Balsam?

Flower: Bright pink flower

Leaf: Slender & Serated

Himalayan Balsam - (Impatiens glandulifera) Seed Pods

Himalayan Balsam - (Impatiens glandulifera) Leaf

Himalayan Balsam [Indian Balsam] - Impatiens glandulifera ID Guide V8

Himalayan balsam - Impatiens gladuliera ID Guide

Himalayan balsam - seed pods

Himalayan balsam leaf

Why Is Himalayan Balsam A Problem?

Once established Himalayan balsam, which can grow up to

3m in height, outcompetes native species, erodes riverbanks, and clogs up rivers and streams leading to flooding. It is now widespread throughout Ireland.

Himalayan balsam - Impatiens gladuliera Invasion

Himalayan balsam invasive stand

Control is difficult, firstly because it’s very difficult to chop down or pull all plants and secondly the seeds often keep arriving from neighbouring areas (such as upriver or from neighbouring land you don’t own).

On roadsides, people should inform local authorities.