Battle against invasive plants starts on local riverbanks

Himalayan balsam Credit: North York Moors National Park Authority

The North York Moors National Park Authority is to start battling two invasive plant species that threaten local plants and wildlife on the banks of the River Esk, River Seph and River Rye.

Funding is coming from Yorkshire Water to tackle Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam.

The plants are both 'garden escapees' capable of spreading rapidly - smothering native plants during the summer - before dying back in the winter.

The North York Moors National Park are also providing contributions of £5,000 to the project by providing staff and volunteer time to co-ordinate programme and carry out the control work.

Can YOU tell the difference between the Himalayan balsam and the Japanese knotweed ?

  • Himalayan balsam has a sickly, sweet smell, pink flowers and a bright green hollow stem. It can grow up to two meters tall and has explosive seed pods capable of firing seeds up to seven metres.

  • Japanese knotweed grows to around three metres tall and has large alternate heart shaped leaves and a characteristic zigzag stem covered in purple speckles. Its flowers, which appear in late summer, consist of clusters of tiny creamy-white flowers.

Himalayan balsam Credit: North York Moors National Park Authority