Scientific Name:
Impatiens glandulifera
Pronunciation:
im-PAY-shunz glan-dew-LIFF-ur-uh
Common Name:
Himalayan balsam
Family Name:
Balsaminaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true), Invasive plant
Key ID Features:
Leaves opposite or whorled, lanceolate, most reach 5-23cm long x 6-8cm wide, margin serrate; flowers pink, with a hooded shape, 3-4cm tall x 2cm wide; capsules 2-3cm long x 6-9mm wide.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
South Asia / India (Himalayan mountains)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Bog, Humus rich
Water Use:
High
Landscape Uses:
Herb, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Compare to yellow balsam.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite, Whorled
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Distinctive smell
Shapes:
Elliptic, Lanceolate, Oblong, Ovate
Apices:
Acuminate, Acute
Bases:
Cuneate
Margins:
Serrate
Additional Info:
Crushed foliage has a strong musty smell
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
White, Purple, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Fruit Type:
Capsule, Edible
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Edible, Bursts open to eject seeds; edible when unripe
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Organ Modifications:
Succulent stems
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
High
Other:
Remove plants before capsules ripen
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids
