Still jumping on Himalayan Balsam

[sparks]

Hi gang, just thougt I'd help to spread a little-light on this matter of up-rooting and then jumping on one of the most beautiful wild flowers we are very privalaged to have growing along our British Waterways. Yes this wild plant is very inevasive, but what would these un-enlightend people rather see growing along our rivers? stinging nettles? As a Bushcrafter with 40years of experiance under my belt I would like to clear up this silly practice of illegally UP-ROOTING this wild flower and chuckin' them all over the public footpaths.

Himalayan Balsam [ impatiens glandulifera ] also known as Indian Balsam / Touch-me-not / Policeman's Helmet

1. This plant is NOT poisonous.
2. It does not cause skin rashes [ quite the oppersite in fact,it is used to treat the rash caused by Poison Ivy].
3. It is 100% edible [ leave / stem / roots / seeds.[ seeds are used to make bread and coffee].

The greatest ironys about this matter is that this beautiful wild flower is actually used to treat skin rashes by herbalists and Bushcrafters like me and our famous Ray Mears.The park rangers that were seen on the BBC up-rooting these plants were
in actual fact breaking the law and setting a very bad example to others [ especially children].The Wildlife and Countryside Act
of 1981 forbids the up-rooting of all British wild flowers.

I would like to also point out that I use the cycle paths in the countryside where my wife and I live and not only find it very upsetting
to see thousands of these plants strewn across the paths, but as any cyclist knows, it is very dangerous because as with autumn
leaves and wet tree roots, they can cause one to loose control of the steering if one of these slippery plants gets under the front wheel.
For more information about the edibility and uses of Himalayan Balsam [ impatiens glandulifera ] check-out Plants For a Future website.

[Wild-Woman]

Hi Sparks. Nice to have you with us.

This is my own personal view. I would prefer to see stinging nettles growing, or any of our own native plants.
Nettles provide an incalculably good habitat for our wildlife species.
HB-although pretty just chokes up the waterways and takes over where our species should be.

In a river near me,it is virtually out of control and just pushing everything else out.

As I say, this is my view and I do appreciate that everyone has their own.

Jules

[Andy Warne]

Originally Posted by sparks

Yes this wild plant is very inevasive, but what would these un-enlightend people rather see growing along our rivers? stinging nettles?

Yes, and any of the other native species that would otherwise be growing there.

Originally Posted by sparks

The park rangers that were seen on the BBC up-rooting these plants were
in actual fact breaking the law and setting a very bad example to others [ especially children].The Wildlife and Countryside Act
of 1981 forbids the up-rooting of all British wild flowers.

No they weren't and no it doesn't.

[peppermint]

Originally Posted by sparks

The park rangers that were seen on the BBC up-rooting these plants were
in actual fact breaking the law and setting a very bad example to others [ especially children].The Wildlife and Countryside Act
of 1981 forbids the up-rooting of all British wild flowers.

.

It is not illegal to pull up himalayan balsalm, if fact it is part of the management strategy for this invasive species.
Himalayan Balsam seeds prolifically and the light seed is then easily spread along ditches, rivers and canals. It is an annual activity in many areas of the country to pull up this shallow rooted plant in an attempt to prevent it from spreading and dominating wetland sites.

[sparks]

Hi Jules,THANKYOU very much for your post and point of view. As at the start of my tread I do agree that HB is very evasive and not really commenting on that side of things, although I beleive Japanese Knotweed is far worse. The main point I am making is that the Park Rangers on that BBC News program set a bad example to children who may start ripping up other plants as well, and that it all started with them saying the plant sap burns peoples hands, which is rubbish; they must be getting mixed-up with Gaint Hogweed...! [ grown..].

I was also complaining about the dangers to cyclist and how these plants are being torn-up and just thrown all other the place. Besides.. doesen't it seen rather childish to jump-up-and down on a plant like some nutter! Thanks again Jules. Sparks

[peppermint]

Originally Posted by sparks

Hi Jules,THANKYOU very much for your post and point of view. As at the start of my tread I do agree that HB is very evasive and not really commenting on that side of things, although I beleive Japanese Knotweed is far worse. The main point I am making is that the Park Rangers on that BBC News program set a bad example to children who may start ripping up other plants as well, and that it all started with them saying the plant sap burns peoples hands, which is rubbish; they must be getting mixed-up with Gaint Hogweed...! [ grown..].

I was also complaining about the dangers to cyclist and how these plants are being torn-up and just thrown all other the place. Besides.. doesen't it seen rather childish to jump-up-and down on a plant like some nutter! Thanks again Jules. Sparks

Having not seen the program you are referring to i cannot comment on if the rangers were setting a bad example of uprooting flowers to children. I was addressing the point you made about uprooting himalayan balsalm as breaking the law, as it is not.

I agree that if these plants are being uprooted then they should not be left scattered all over designated pathways, rather put to one side or taken to another appropriate place.

[Jez]

They bring cattle to do this job in my neck of the woods!

[rscott74]

We have had a discussion about this recentlly. Do a search on 'balsam'. In a poll of 40 members only 3 said HB should not be eradicated or controlled. It is an attractive flower but, on balance, it poses a significant threat to natural habitats.

[Kymba]

I agree nettles are great for all sorts of wildlife..
But why oh why do they hate me so much . No matter where i go or what i am doing i never see any nettles close by me.
Then when i am not looking they quietly sneak up and surround me just to make sure I fall, trip or walk into them.
Its like they know that I have a reaction to them when stung,nothing serious just a couple of days of itching,stinging and discomfort

[Ukwildlifeo]

If this is the stuff I think is the less of it the better. Mind you its no where near as bad as japanese knotweed - chop it down, add herbicide, dig up as much as you can, but you still end up back where you started a month or two later