The Weed
Himalayan balsam or Indian balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) was introduced into Britain in 1839 and at a height of up to 3 m’s is identified as the country’s tallest plant.
The plant grows in dense stands with pinkish-red, hollow and jointed stems and shiny dark-green leaves that are lance-shaped with serrated edges. The characteristic, slipper-like shaped flowers are purplish-pink and appear in June. When the seed-pods mature they burst when touched and scatter their seed up to a distance of 7 m’s. |
