Himalayan Balsam
Mikey Offline
Member
#1
So often mistaken for Japanese knotweed by the uninitiated until it flowers, the Himalayan Balsam has very amusing exploding seed heads. Which is a pretty cool method for spreading  anything. The seeds taste like young hazel or cob nuts, slightly grainy in texture due to their size but a fun country walk snack. 

I photographed some yesterday for identification. I need to do a little research but, I think they could be ground into a flour once dried. Once the seeds go black they become hard and more than a little unpleasant to chew on.


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Small chilli Offline
Super Pest Controller
#2
I hate that plant! I’ve spent far to much of my past life battling to control it. I don’t think it’s made it onto the island yet, but it’s in Oban so it’s only a matter of time before we have that invasive thug here.
Builder that would like to go play in the garden.
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Veggie Offline
Super Pest Controller
#3
When I was a young'un I used to pick bunches of HB from the river bank and bring them home for my Mum. She'd dutifully put them a vase and the thing I remember was - the water would turn black. Nasty stuff!!
The Moneyless Chicken says:- 
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
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Bren Offline
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#4
It’s taking over the riverbanks around here Sad
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Mikey Offline
Member
#5
So eat the seeds and stop it spreading. Smile
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Mark_Riga Offline
Member from Cheshire
#6
I remember it well as a child. I used to enjoy going down the bank of the Mersey, touching ripe pods and seeing them explode. We also used portions of their stems as pea shooters.
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PyreneesPlot Offline
Mountain Dweller
#7
It's a problem here - only the Japanese knotweed out-competes it.
Has Anyone Seen the Plot?

Hautes-Pyrénées (65), France
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Mikey Offline
Member
#8
(17-07-2020, 08:39 PM)PyreneesPlot Wrote: It's a problem here - only the Japanese knotweed out-competes it.
You can eat that too PP, it tastes a bit like rhubarb.
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SarrissUK Offline
Member
#9
I'd worry about eating japanese knotweed in case it starts growing inside me lol
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Mikey Offline
Member
#10
That would all depend on how much soil you have on the inside. Big Grin
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