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Himalayan Balsam


Escaped from gardens and colonised riverbanks.

  • Pink-red stems that grow up to 2m tall.
  • Spear-shaped leaves that tend to be shiny and dark green.

*Flowers are purplish-pink to pale pink and are slipper-shaped in form.

Threat:

Introduced in 1839, it escaped from gardens and rapidly colonised riverbanks and streams. The plant spreads by projecting its seeds up to four metres away. It grows in dense stands that suppress the growth of native grasses and other plants. It dies back in autumn and leaves banks vulnerable to erosion.

Last updated: 22/10/2008