Bashing the Balsam: How to Reclaim Our Waterways and Woods If you’ve spent any time walking along our local riverbanks, marshes, or damp woodland edges lately, you’ve likely spotted a tall, attractive plant with explosive pink, helmet-shaped flowers. It looks beautiful, but don't be fooled—Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is one of the most aggressive invasive species threatening our local biodiversity. Because a single plant can launch up to 800 seeds over 7 meters