Shrub balsam
Botanical Name
Impatiens sodenii
Family
Balsaminaceae (balsam)
Also known as
Where is it originally from?
East Africa.
What does it look like?
Shrub (<2 m) with green, hairless, succulent stems. Leaves (120 x 35 mm) are in whorls. Pale pink flowers (50-65 mm in diameter) are present most of the year.
Are there any similar species?
Impatiens walleriana (also known as I. holstii, I. sultanii, busy Lizzie) is smaller, has orange or red flowers, and occasionally escapes from gardens.
Why is it weedy?
Roots at nodes, spreads by layering, and forms dense stands in degraded and revegetating forest. Moderate to high shade tolerance.
How does it spread?
Fragments are spread by greenwaste dumping and water movement. Common garden and pot plant.
What damage does it do?
Replaces other vegetation on forest floor, and prevents seedlings of native species establishing.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Moves slowly from the margins into damp lowland forest in high rainfall areas.
What can I do to get rid of it?
Begin control programme at the top of the catchment to prevent reinfestation during flooding.
1. Dig out: dispose of all parts at refuse transfer station, bury or burn.
2. Spray: glyphosate (150ml/15L + penetrant (knapsack) or 10ml/L + penetrant (spraygun spray)) or metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (4g/15L + penetrant (knapsack) or 20g/100L + penetrant (spraygun)). Avoid spray runoff.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product, are followed and adhered to.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Limited herbicide follow up required.
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