Himalayan balsam was introduced into Britain's gardens in 1839 and has since spread throughout the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, along the banks of rivers. The walls of its seed pods develop internal tensions as they dry out, so when they are ripe they explode at the slightest touch and scatter seeds in all directions. The flowers provide a rich source of pollen and nectar for bees in late summer and early autumn. Until recently it was assumed that the spread of this plant might have a devastating effect on native riverbank wild flowers but recent studies indicate that it has a relatively minor impact, and that removing it could create open habitat for more aggressive and damaging weeds. The plant grows along the bank of the River Wear, especially between Millburngate and Prebends bridges, and there are small colonies on university land - at the top and bottom of 'Cardiac Hill' on the Science Site, for example.
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