First report of Impatiens balfourii in Turkey
Impatiens balfourii (Balsaminaceae) is native to the Western Himalayas and has been introduced into the EPPO region as an ornamental plant species. The species has been cultivated in France, Great Britain and Italy since the early 20th century. The species has shown invasive tendencies in the EPPO region over the last 15 years, and it is recorded as invasive in France, Italy and Croatia. I. balfourii was recorded in four different sites in the Düzce province of the Western Black Sea region of Turkey at the beginning of August 2020. It was deliberately introduced as a garden ornamental to this area where it was first detected (Beyköy). The species now occurs in forest edge habitats, grasslands (not arable fields), inland surface water and artificial habitats (roadsides, parks, gardens) in Turkey. The site where the species was originally discovered is approximately 25 km from the most recently found infested site (roadside side near Konuralp). The author highlights that there is significant potential for further spread of the species in the region, especially as it is often planted in areas used for human amenities and seeds can be collected and intentionally moved, or transported as contaminants. Awareness raising activities and management should be initiated for I. balfourii. In addition, a risk analysis may be performed for I. balfourii to determine its invasive status in Turkey.
Sources
Yazhk A (2021) Impatiens balfourii (Balsaminaceae): First recording from the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Weed Science 24, 13-18.