Photographs: Co. Cork

Himalayan Balsam / Indian Balsam Impatiens glandulifera Lus na pléisce Family: Balsaminaceae Flowering July-October. Annual. Garden escape. Introduced. Flowers are purple-pink or pinkish-white with short spurs. Seeds freely. Oval-lanceolate pointed, toothed leaves, opposite or in whorls of 3. Fleshy, hairless reddish-green stems, sappy. Height to 1.5 metres. Shady riversides, damp wasteland and road edges. A naturalised and very invasive introduction. Increasing.

Himalayan Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera, Lus na pléisce