Himalayan balsam
Beautiful but not welcome
The example above was found beside the river Derwent in Forge Valley, North Yorkshire.
Introduced to the UK in 1839, Himalayan balsam is now a naturalised plant, found especially on riverbanks (in this case the River Derwent, North Yorkshire) and in waste areas where it has become a problem weed.
Himalayan balsam tolerates low light levels and also shades out other vegetation, so gradually impoverishing habitats by killing off other plants.Himalayan balsam is considered an invasive non-native plant and is listed on Schedule 9. Under the provisions made within Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The flowers of Himalayan balsam produce large amounts of nectar and are therefore very attractive to numerous bee species.
Himalayan balsam is a tall growing annual, 2-3m (6-10ft) in height. Between June and October it produces clusters of purplish pink (or rarely white) helmet-shaped flowers.
The flowers are followed by seed pods that open explosively when ripe. Each plant can produce up to 800 seeds. These are dispersed widely as the ripe seedpods shoot their seeds up to 7m (22ft) away. Once established in the catchment of a river the seeds, which can remain viable for two years, are transported further afield by water.
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Taken on Wednesday June 26, 2024
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Posted on Saturday July 6, 2024
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19 comments
©UdoSm said:
Doug Shepherd replied to ©UdoSm:
Enjoy your weekend
Fred Fouarge said:
Doug Shepherd replied to Fred Fouarge:
Enjoy your weekend
William Sutherland said:
Doug Shepherd replied to William Sutherland:
Enjoy your weekend
Roger (Grisly) said:
Thank you this fine image and the very interesting notes Doug,
I assume they were introduced by man?
Doug Shepherd replied to Roger (Grisly):
Enjoy your weekend
William Sutherland said:
Günter Klaus said:
Wünsche noch ein schönes Wochenende,liebe Grüße Güni :))
Doug Shepherd replied to Günter Klaus:
Enjoy the week ahead, Doug
Ulrich John said:
Doug Shepherd replied to Ulrich John:
Enjoy the week ahead
Boarischa Krautmo said:
Amelia said: