Biological flora of Central Europe: Impatiens glandulifera Royle

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2021.125609Get rights and content

Highlights

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    Impatiens glandulifera is a highly invasive annual plant across large parts of Europe.

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    We describe the species’ taxonomy, morphology, distribution, habitat requirements, ecology, life cycle and genetics.

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    We further synthesize all known impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

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    We shortly summarise potential eradication and management strategies for the species.

Abstract

This paper presents all current knowledge on the biology of the invasive therophyte Impatiens glandulifera Royle (Himalayan Balsam), and covers aspects of taxonomy, morphology, distribution, habitat requirements, ecology, life cycle, genetics, history of invasive spread, ecological impact and management. Although a few review papers have been published on this species in previous decades, a great deal of insights have been gained in the last three decades, owing to the species’ notorious reputation as one of the most problematic invasive species in Europe. This study consequently focusses on this novel information, with a particular focus on information from Central Europe.

Introduction

The therophyte Impatiens glandulifera Royle (Himalayan Balsam) is considered one of the most problematic invasive plant species in Europe. Consequently, much research has been performed on this species in the last decades. The last reviews on this species, however, data back to the last two decades (Beerling and Perrins, 1993; Clements et al., 2008; Cockel and Tanner, 2011). Consequently, this study aims at synthesizing the latest research on this species, combining information on the species’ general biology and its invasive spread, impact and management across its full range. More specifically, we firstly update the information provided in Beerling and Perrins (1993) on I. glandulifera’s taxonomy, morphology, distribution, habitat requirements, ecology, life cycle, biotic interactions and genetic data. Secondly, we combine this information with an overview of the insights gained on the species’ invasive behaviour, ecosystem impact and management; research fields that have received particular research attention during the last decades.

Section snippets

Taxonomy

Impatiens glandulifera Royle is a balsam species of the genus Impatiens, within the Balsaminaceae family. The family includes only two genera: Impatiens L. (c. 900 species) and Hydrocera Blume (1 species). The family Balsaminaceae was formerly treated as a separate order, i.e. the Balsaminales, or classified as a member of the order Geraniales. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that Balsaminaceae is part of the Ericales (which currently comprises 22 families in the APG IV system (

Distribution and invasion history

I. glandulifera is reported as native to three countries in the foothills of the western Himalaya, i.e. northeast Pakistan, northwest India (Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) and likely western Nepal (Fig. 3A) (Beerling and Perrins, 1993; CABI, 2020; Fitter and Peat, 1994; Stace, 2019). In this relatively small range (estimated at approximately 800 km in length and 50 km in width, Tanner et al. (2008)), the species grows in the elevational belt with a temperate climate between

Life cycle

I. glandulifera is a summer-annual herb (therophyte, according to the Raunkiær classification). Reproduction occurs exclusively through sexual reproduction, without clonal propagation (Helmisaari, 2010). Population persistence and establishment is consequently fully dependent on annual seed germination (see also part 4.4). Although seedling densities can be up to 350 individuals m−2, density-dependent seedling mortality and plant growth usually results in lower densities in adult I. glandulifera

Pathways of spread

After I. glandulifera was intentionally introduced as an ornamental and nectar-producing plant in Europe (Adamowski, 2008; Jernelöv, 2017; Pyšek and Prach, 1995), initial naturalisation occurred mainly through escape from gardens (Fig. 6) (Hejda and Pyšek, 2006). This was facilitated by I. glandulifera’s high propagule pressure, combined with its ballistic seed dispersal (see part 4.4). Naturalization was in some regions helped by the intentional release in grasslands and along riverbanks by

Impact

Although several studies have recorded impacts of I. glandulifera on diversity and ecosystem functioning, these effects often seem context dependent, with many studies actually observing very little to no impact (detailed further), especially in comparison to other invasive species in Europe, such as Reynoutria japonica. Consequently, the perceived severity of I. glandulifera’s invasive impact is sometimes questioned (e.g. Flügel, 2017). A recent expert knowledge-based assessment of potential

Conclusions

Although most details of I. glandulifera’s morphology and auto-ecology were already summarised in Beerling and Perrins (1993), important novel insights have been gained in the last decades. For example, the species’ boom-bust population dynamics have been formally acknowledged in its invaded range, and research has increased our understanding of the species’ biotic interactions, regarding competitors, symbionts, herbivores and parasites. Also our understanding of the species’ functional traits,

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Acknowledgements

We thank Kamil Najberek, Alicia Prowse, Elisa Van Cleemput, Sarah Hertecant, Heather A. Kelly, Barbara Tokarska-Guzik, Adam Zając & the editors of the journal Biodiversity: Research and Conservation for giving approval for the re-use of their data and/or figures and Hajime Matsushima for information on the species’ status in Japan. This research was supported by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) through funding of the scientific research network FLEUR (www.fleur.ugent.be), KH (1202817N),

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