Tackling problem plant by the Avon

2:23pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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A NEW conservation group has been fighting the expansion of Himalayan balsam, an aggressive and problematical plant, on the banks of the River Avon.

Volunteers from Durrington Conservation Group spent a morning clearing affected areas of this pretty but destructive species from the Bulford Carrier, and plan to remove the plant from other affected areas of the river within the parish boundary.

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) was introduced into the UK in 1839, but has become rampant and has rapidly colonised river banks.

It grows in dense stands, which out-competes native plants.

In autumn when the Balsam dies back, there is only bare riverbank left, which is then vulnerable to erosion. The plant can be easily identified and grows to a height of about two metres with pink flowers (occasionally white) which form from June to August.

The stem is red in colour and the leaves are serrated.

Handpulling from the base is relatively easy, because the plant is shallow rooted, although this should be undertaken during the flowering period as by August/September, the seedpods mature and explode scattering the seeds.

As the plants regrow annually from seed, control works are necessary for up to three years as the seeds remain viable for this length of time.

Regular site checks of river banks should be carried out each spring and any germinating seedlings removed before they have a chance to become established.

Durrington Conservation Group is keen to link up with other parishes to fight the expansion of this species, which is becoming more numerous along our waterways.