Himalayan Balsam

As I was walking with Bella in a new area of the town, I spotted a footpath alongside a burn, so we went along, and the bank was covered in what I think was Himalayan Balsam. Can anyone confirm? (Apologies for pic quality - phone pictures don't always come out as clearly as I'd like..)


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Does anyone know if there's any use for any part of it, or is it truly as bad an invasive species as they make out? The flowers are very pretty!

 

Looks right to me dendy, dont know of any uses for it though.

 

I took this in the summer Dendy - on the River Brue in Somerset and was told it was Himalayan Balsam - looks pretty similar

 

Yes it is Himalayan Balsam. Seed pods give fantastic explosions sending seed for many yards.

 

So, is it of any use, HB?

 

Well - it's only been in Britain since 1839 so won't have any folk remedies attached to it. However, the story goes that in the 19th century a party of explorers got lost in the Himalayas. When they ran short of food, they ate Himalayan Balsam seeds and seedpods which have a pleasant nutty flavour. All but the leader's wife ate them and came to no harm. She refused to eat any, became ill and when they got back, she was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with extreme scurvy! So it looks like the plant is rich in vitamin C

 

mmmmmmmm! well, if I run out of oranges, maybe I should try that..... but I think I'll stick with oranges for now! :rolleyes:
Thanks for that, HB!

 

This is the only use i can find for it...
The sap can be used to sooth the rash caused by Poison Ivy and the stems can be eaten after boiling. A yellow dye can be extracted from the whole plant.

 

you must do all you can to prevent this horrible weed spreading and taking over our river banks - do not encourage it.

I have had to live with it and deal with it - its a real PAIN!

 

Thanks for the info, everyone. Is there anything that needs to be done? I mean, are you meant to report seeing it? I doubt if anyone who walks there has any idea what it is, and there's no easy access for council workers to get in and deal with it - I guess the land belongs to the council.....

 

Opinion is very much divided on this. Some local authorities and local nature trusts go on "Balsam Bashing" days when they try to destroy it. On the other hand, it can really brighten up river and canal banks in industrial areas. It is not poisonous and will not blister anyone and it will not take over river banks etc etc. Just enjoy it like I do

 

Fair enough, HB! :D But I certainly won't be tempted to try to take any of it home with me.....

 

Don't worry - it only grows on wet ground

 

What makes you think I haven't got any of that?? :rolleyes:

 

I will not readily admit this, but I took some of the what I believed to be very exciting funny seed from a visit to Eden valley cumbria.

not only does it grow on wet ground but in our lawn on the flower borders on the compost heap, everywhere! I know our land is all fairly damp, but there is just no stopping it.

Unfortunately our neighbours think it is very pretty and have now taken some seed for their bank. I have tried to pull it out where possible, but I give it 10 years and I think the whold village will be taken over with it!

Its same family as busy lizzy urr you know me forget names, luckily only an anual and easy to pull out, its just the explosive seds that do it.

I went to Yorkshire show some years ago and saw a whold field taken over by it - thats why I worry.