Warning over ‘uncontrollable’ giant balsam found in Guernsey

An invasive plant that could become ‘out of control’ has been found in several places in Guernsey.

According to officials, giant balsam has been sighted around the island.

According to the Agriculture, Rural and Land Management Service (ACLMS), the plant, which can grow up to 3 metres tall and whose pods can explode seeds up to 7 metres away, was difficult to remove once it had grown.

The department said removing the plant at an early stage of growth was “critical” to prevent damage to Guernsey’s biodiversity.

According to ACLMS, Himalayan balsam “can choke the land and crowd out native plant species” once it begins to grow.

It was said that work had been carried out over the past three years to remove the non-native plant from the island.

The plant has not returned to areas where it was previously removed, but new sightings have been reported elsewhere, the agency said.

“Thousands of these unwanted plants have been removed over the past three years,” the report said.

“Without this intervention the species would have become uncontrollable, which would have had huge implications for Guernsey’s local wildlife and biodiversity as it smothers the land and displaces native plant species.”

The giant balsam can be recognised by its large, pink, hood-shaped flowers, with hanging green seed pods behind them, according to the Wildlife Trust.

According to Francis Russell of the ACLMS non-native invasive species team, the plant is spreading “alarmingly easily”.

“As an annual it is a showy plant that can be easily removed before hundreds of seeds are dispersed,” he said.

“We absolutely do not want this species to become established in Guernsey as it spreads with alarming ease and is a major problem for our wildlife areas and landowners.”