The species at a glance

Glandular balsam / Indian balsam: The neophyte from India

The meanwhile best-known representative of the spring herbs is the glandular spring herb. It stands out among the 1,000 or so species in the balsamic family. But why? It is less popular in this country, but is much more than weedthat is to be fought.

The glandular balsam is like all other species in the fresh state poisonous. The exception are the edible Seeds. But hardly anyone allows them to develop, because: They contribute to the spread of this plant and that is undesirable in many places.

Its characteristics:

• up to 2 m high
• flat, small root system
• loves locations on riverside areas
• pink flowers
• hollow stems, strongly branched at the end
• Flowering period between July and October
• black-brown seeds
• lanceolate leaves
• annual

Big balsam: flowers up to 3 cm in size

Great balsam (Impatiens noli-tangere) originally comes from Eurasia and is also known as 'don't touch me'. It grows up to 90 cm high, has flowers up to 3 cm in size and blooms between June and September. Its flowers are yellow and have red-orange spots inside.

Small balsam: inconspicuous

In contrast to the great balsam, this species reaches a maximum height of 50 cm. Its flowers reach a maximum length of 1 cm. They are yellow-white and show up between the beginning of July and the end of August. Overall, this species, which is often reddish on the stem, looks extremely inconspicuous. It comes from Asia and is also widespread in Europe today.

Hard-working Lieschen: evergreen ornamental plant

Here are the facts:

• popular balcony and bedding plant
• Origin: Africa
• evergreen
• up to 30 cm high
• are different from other spring herbs
• Flower colors: white, orange, red, pink, purple or multicolored
• Flowering period: May to October
• also semi-double varieties with semi-double flowers