Impatiens glandulifera, Himalayan balsam, is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Via human introduction it is now present across much of the Northern Hemisphere and is considered an invasive species in many areas. Uprooting or cutting the plants is an effective means of control. In Europe, Himalayan balsam has been included since 2017 in the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (the Union list). This implies that the species cannot be imported, cultivated, transported, commercialized, planted, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Etymology The common names Himalayan balsam and kiss-me-on-the-mountain refer to the plant's native Himalayan mountains. Ornamental jewelweed refers to its cultivation as an ornamental plant. The specific epithet glandulifera is a compound word from glándula meaning 'small gland', and ferre meaning 'to bear'. Description It typically grows to high, with a soft green or red-tinged stem, and lanceolate leaves long. The crushed foliage has a strong musty smell. Below the leaf stems the plant has glands that produce a sticky, sweet-smelling, and edible nectar. The flowers are pink, with a hooded shape, 3 to 4 cm ( to in) tall and 2 cm ( in) broad; the flower shape has been compared to a policeman's helmet. After flowering between June and October, the plant forms seed pods 2 to 3 cm ( to in) long and 8 mm broad ( in), which explode when disturbed, scattering the seeds up to . The green seed pods, seeds, young leaves and shoots are all edible. The flowers can be turned into a jam or parfait. The plant was rated in first place for per day nectar production per flower in a UK plants survey conducted by the AgriLand project which is supported by the UK Insect Pollinators Initiative. However, when number of flowers per floral unit, flower abundance, and phenology were taken into account, it dropped out of the top ten for most nectar per unit cover per year, as did all plants that placed in the top ten for per-day nectar production per flower, with the exception of common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Distribution and habitat Himalayan balsam is native to the Himalayas, specifically to the areas between Kashmir and Uttarakhand. In its native range it is usually found at altitudes between 2000 and 2500 m above sea level, although it has been reported at up to 4000 m