Tweed Forum have been working with CABI scientists on a novel project to suppress the invasive non-native plant species Himalayan balsam using one of its natural enemies – a rust fungus. The species is particularly frequent along the banks of watercourses, where it often forms continuous stands. It prefers moist soils but will grow anywhere. Download the Himalayan Balsam information sheet - PDF. A native of the Western Himalaya, it was introduced in 1839 and is now recorded throughout Britain. A native of the Western Himalaya, it was introduced in 1839 to Kew Gardens as a greenhouse exotic. The Environment Agency has estimated that Himalayan balsam now occupies over 13% of the UK’s rivers. Read more about White butterbur, how to identify it, what impacts it is having and how we are controlling it. Himalayan balsam in full bloomApplying the rust fungus to the target plantA successfully infected Himalayan balsam leaf The first inoculation of Himalayan balsam plants took place in June at 7 sites across the Tweed catchment. If … As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow it to grow in the wild. Himalayan Balsam tolerates low light levels and also shades out other vegetation, gradually impoverishing habitats by killing off other plants. (Impatiens glandulifera) Himalayan Balsam, commonly known as Indian Balsam and Policemans Helmet, is an invasive non native annual plant which has quickly infested the banks of British waterways shading out the native British plants that stabilise river banks through our winter months. Himalayan Balsam is a tall growing annual, 2-3m (6-10ft) in height. The genus name Impatiens, means \"impatient\", and refers to its method of seed dispersal. The shallow root system means that Himalayan balsam is very easy to pull out of the soil by hand. Coronavirus. This makes it a great activity for schools, groups and volunteers to get stuck into. Read more about our work to control Himalayan balsam in the Tweed catchment. It is locally c… Himalayan balsam; Rhododendron ponticum; New Zealand pigmyweed (this is banned from sale) You do not have to remove these plants or control them on your land. It produces much nectar and therefore is attractive to pollinating insects, possibly to the detriment of native flowering plants (which are no longer visited by these insects and thus don’t get pollinated). We will carry out another round of monitoring in September and all these results will be used by CABI to help determine the best way forward in controlling Himalayan balsam in the UK. Control of invasive non-native species - Himalayan balsam Eradication may be possible in two to three years unless your site is being colonised by seeds from further upstream. General advice on funding. Alternatively, we can facilitate this activity for existing groups. What? Win for Tweed Forum at Nature of Scotland Awards, Cultural posts join Destination Tweed team, 2020 Tweed Forum River Champion announced, Border Schools project a winner at the 2020 Helping It Happen Awards, Little Yarrow re-meandering gets underway, Collaborative projects reach finals in Helping it Happen Awards 2020, Scottish trial of Himalayan balsam biocontrol gets underway, Tweed Forum,Old Melrose Dairy Steading,Melrose, TD6 9DF. It was introduced into Kew Gardens, and has spread via its seeds – both individuals passing on the seed to others for garden planting and seeds floating down rivers before becoming lodged in soft muddy banks and germinating. Its present distribution was probably helped by a number of people - see Professor Ian Rotherham's articles on invasives e.g. Himalayan Balsam is a non-native species that is wide spread throughout the River South Esk catchment. News. Himalayan balsam is Britain’s tallest annual plant with each plant tending to be around 1-2 metres high, although they can reach a height of 2.5 metres in some cases! England, Scotland and Ireland. It prefers moist soils but will grow pretty much anywhere. The Act makes it an offence to grow Himalayan Balsam in the wild. Himalayan Balsam was added to schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Wales and England. According to Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offense in England and Wales … It was introduced to the UK in 1839 and is now a … Himalayan balsam is an annual plant (it completes its lifecycle within one year), which grows to 2m tall with rough, reddish stems, shiny oval leaves about 15cm long with a red vein, and bright purple-pink flowers from June-September. Although you are allowed to have Himalayan Balsam on your property, it is an offence to allow the invasive plant to spread someone else property. Tweed Forum is a registered non-profit making company limited by guarantee (SC191466) with charitable status (SC030423). It grows mostly on river banks and in damp woodlands. Applying for funding can be exhausting. It escaped into the wild and is now recorded throughout the UK, particularly along the banks of watercourses. Himalayan balsam is widespread and is found throughout our project area and in all our partner Fishery Trust catchments. This nationwide biological control trial involves other trusts across the UK and Tweed Forum will be coordinating the first release of the biocontrol in Scotland (following on from trials on the English Tweed). It can also establish in damp woodland, flushes and mires. Himalayan balsam grows up to 3 m tall and is reputed to be the tallest annual plant found in the UK. Please let us know of sources of funding, so that others can benefit. The need for Himalayan Balsam control is of major importance to the UK environment. Himalayan balsam is beginning to take hold on the banks of the River Bervie in Inverbervie. During the winter, extensive die back of stands can leave river banks bare, increasing erosion. The seeds only persist for around 18 months in the soil, so populations can be eradicated after 2 or 3 years of consistent control. It will be included in Scotland by the end of 2011. Introduced in 1839, it was first cultivated as a greenhouse annual by gardeners. Local names include Nuns and Jumping Jack, as well as Policeman's Helmet, Bobby Tops and Gnome's Hatstand which refer to the fact that the flower is decidedly hat-shaped. If you want to control Rhododendron ponticum we will support three eradication methods, manual, mechanised supported by chemical follow up and chemical. Himalayan Balsam Control, Treatment and Removal for clients in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Scotland & across the UK Himalayan Balsam can produce over 700 exploding seeds, projecting them to a distance of 7 metres! Chemical control - you must only spray during the growing season when there is green leafy material present and most of … Find out more about the American mink, how to identify it, what impacts it is having and previous mink control projects. © Tweed Forum 2020. Our Tweed Invasives Project Officer, Emily, was out this week recording the level of rust fungus infection at these 7 sites and things are looking very promising thus far. Plants can grow up to 3m tall, making this the tallest annual species growing wild in the UK. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Tweed Forum have been working with CABI scientists on a novel project to suppress the invasive non-native plant species Himalayan balsam using one of its natural enemies – a rust fungus. This leaves the river banks vulnerable to serious erosion. Home | News | Scottish trial of Himalayan balsam biocontrol gets underway, Scottish trial of Himalayan balsam biocontrol gets underway Find out more about the persistent Japanese knotweed, the problems it causes and what we are doing about it. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a relative of the busy Lizzie, but reaches well over head height, and is a major weed problem, especially on riverbanks and waste land, but can also invade gardens. Contact UsAbout UsOur Partners and Funders, Privacy Notice & Cookie Policy Uprooted plants can be left to air dry and decompose on a non-permeable membrane. We’ll be offering conservation volunteer days you can join in with to pull Himalayan balsam, these are a great fun way to get involved, get outdoors and meet new friends. Is beginning to take hold on the banks of watercourses, where it often forms stands. It is locally c… Unfortunately, the problems it causes and what are. 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