Indian Balsam: the policemans helmet

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Indian Balsam: the policemans helmet

Post Date:

Tuesday, 16 August, 2016

Indian balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a plant introduced from the Himalayas into water gardens and has escaped in to the outside world. It is now widespread on river banks around the county especially the Stour and the Frome. Sadly this is another unwelcome arrival from over seas and another case of us paying for the Victorian habit of collecting 'nice things' from the colonies and bringing them home to adorn our gardens.

This plant is something of a pest as it is free growing, spreading rapidly and becoming dominant at the expense of other natural species. It is not even very good for insects or as a food for any other living thing so it is a flower we could well do without but virtually impossible to eradicate. We put more effort into pulling ragwort which is far more beneficial, than we do in to controlling this plant.

What the plant does have in its favour is these lovely large pink flowers that give the plant its nick-name, policeman's helmet. Ever see a policeman with a pink helmet?

Click for more information about this species:

Indian Balsam

Fact File:

Common Name	Indian Balsam
Alternative Name(s)	Policeman\'s Helmet
Scientific Name	Impatiens glandulifera
Family	Balsam family - Balsaminaceae
Status	Locally abundant
Interest Level	2/5
Related Species	Garden Escapes
Flower Colour Group	Pink
Flower Visible	07 - July 08 - August 09 - September 10 - October
Look for	Masses of tall plants with large pink 'helmet' flowers
Habitat Reference	BN: Garden Escapes
Summary	An imported invasive species causing much concern that is found along rivers and in wet places

In case you missed them some other recent nature notes:

Click/tap the photo to read my nature note for any species below

Graphocehala fenndui: the rhododendron leafhopper 09/03/2017	Marsh Ragwort: poisoned lies 08/03/2017
Pelvetia canaliculata: the channelled wrack 07/03/2017	Common Figwort: skin deep 06/03/2017

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Indian Balsam: the policemans helmet

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