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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Mabey in the Wild

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Natural history series presented by Richard Mabey

Mabey in the Wild: Series 1: Episode 4: Indian Balsam

Indian Balsam

Episode 4

Episode 4: Indian Balsam

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Mabey in the Wild, Series 1, Indian Balsam

Richard Mabey speaks in defence of the Indian balsam - the hated wild wetland invader.

Indian balsam may be beautiful and attractive to bees, but it is the bane of river conservationists who spend weekends pulling up the plant. Richard Mabey celebrates its survival.

Indian balsam is a contentious plant. It may be beautiful and prolific, attractive to bees and first to colonise the empty mud banks of rivers - but many revile its invasiveness and accuse the plant of shading out and squeezing out native varieties. They have declared war on Indian balsam.

Richard Mabey takes a different view. He celebrates the plant that was introduced to British gardens in 1839 and then 'escaped' into the wild. He reflects on its robust nature and wonders at the wisdom of trying to eliminated it. 


Producer: Susan Marling
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4.

Mabey in the Wild: Series 1

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Naturalist Richard Mabey presents a series about British flora

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Mabey in the Wild

Series 1

Episode 4: Indian Balsam

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