Himalayan Balsam

This is Cally pulling out Himalyan Balsam as part of our conservation work.  Introduced to the UK in about 1839 it has become a problem weed especially on riverbanks . If you find it in your garden do not let it escape in to the wild.  The plant grows to about 3m with an abundance of pink flowers and seed heads that explode in such a way that each plant can shoot up to 800 seeds up to 7metres. If this is by a river ( like we were today)  the seeds get carried downstream.  The plant gradually kills off all other plants where it is growing.  You can see why we were pulling out.  Nasty stuff. I have posted an extra photo of the young plant. I am sorry we are pulling it it up before flowers- we don't want any of those seeds heads.  If you see any - pull it up and dispose of it