Small Balsam
Small Balsam, Hampstead Heath, London
Flower - front view
Flower - side view, straight spur
Pods
Twisting to eject seeds
Emptied, twisted pods
Leaves
Spreading, Small Balsam providing ground cover
Impatiens parviflora
Yellow Touch-me-not, Small-flowered Touch-me-not
Balsaminaceae
May to September
It is found in the South and parts of the Southeast, the
West Midlands, East Anglia and the Northwest.
It is thinly scattered elsewhere.
See the BSBI distribution map for Small Balsam
It is a neophyte, which was introduced into England in the
1820s, and recorded in the wild in the 1850s.
It is a naturalised in woodland, shaded river banks and by
tracks and paths.
It grows extensively in open woodland and by roads and
paths on Hampstead Heath, London.
It is on the increase.
Small Balsam is an alien, ground-covering, erect herb,
growing up to 1m.
The flowers are yellow, spurred and up to 18mm.
The fruits are cylindrical pods up to 5cm long. They twist
and explode when touched, scattering the seeds in a
similar way to the related Himalayan Balsam and Busy
Lizzies.
Leaves are gently toothed, alternate, up to 15cm and have
winged leaf stalks.
Previous page: Slender Thistle
Next page: Southern Marsh-orchid
Small Balsam, Hampstead Heath, London
Flower - front view
Flower - side view, straight spur
Pods
Twisting to eject seeds
Emptied, twisted pods
Leaves
Spreading, Small Balsam providing ground cover
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