The River Annan
The River Annan Trust & District Salmon Fishery Board
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera)
Invasive Species
Contact Us
Fisheries Office
Annandale Estates, St Ann's
Lockerbie
Tel: 01576 470600
Mobile: 07710331079
E-mail:
Himalayan balsam spreads through the production of seeds which it catapults up to 7 metres away with its explosive seed pods. The plant material does not re-generate into a new plant.
Pink slipper shaped flowers (rarely white) on long stalks. Flowers June April
Key ID Features
Leaves are spear-shaped with a dark red midrib and grow up to 150mm long
Finely serrated edges
Often grows in dense stands
Leaves grow in whorls of three.
Can grow up to 3 metres tall
Stems are hollow and jointed, sappy and brittle, pinky-red colour.
Seed pods are around 2.5cm long. Hanging on red stalks. When ripe they explode when touched
Best Methods of Control
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Spraying with a commercial glyphosate-based chemical is effective with Himalayan balsam being controlled in 2-3 years. The plant should be sprayed when the leaves are fully out but before flowering. Any re-growth can be sprayed later in the season
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Cutting stems or pulling with roots before the plant sets seed is succesful. Grazing is an efficient way of controlling Himalayan balsam
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Himalayan balsam can be disposed of by leaving the plants out to dry or by burning.
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Never throw away or fly tip plant material or soil – under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence “to plant or otherwise encourage in the wild” the growth of Himalayan balsam
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Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) must be contacted before using chemicals in or near water.
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Take care not to touch the plant as the seeds pods will explode
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Be careful not to transport seeds to new sites
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Removal of plant material off site must be undertaken by a licenced carrier
Do's & Don'ts
