Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an aesthetic flower; it has a hollow stem, and pink/white flowers that look like trumpets, the leaves are egg-shaped and are a vivid green. It grows in dense groups, and can reach a height of 2m. The seed capsule is explosive, which spreads the seeds a distance of up to 7m.

It can be found most commonly on the banks of rivers and in damp woodland areas.

It was first introduced in Kew Gardens (Richmond, England) and has spread throughout England and into Scotland. It spread through the passing on of seeds to plant in gardens, as well as seeds floating down rivers and waterways, before lodging in the banks and germinating.

Find more information on Himalayan Balsam here.