TODAY’S RADIO

Nature’s Great Invaders

9.30AM, RADIO 4

Japanese knotweed – also known as donkey rhubarb, Hancock’s curse and monkeyweed – came to Europe in the 19th century, and gardeners taken with its appearance cultivated this fast-spreading perennial. How we wish they hadn’t. In this second of a series on invasive species, we hear about the most feared and hated plant in the land.

The Second Genome

11AM, RADIO 4

The human body is awash with microbes that are genetically diverse and essential to our existence. Bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses control diseases, promote immunity and influence individual behaviour and mental health. In this three-part series, starting today, James Gallagher looks at research into our complex inner ecosystems undertaken by the Human Microbiome Project.

Costing The Earth

3.30PM, RADIO 4

Spring may be a little late this year thanks to the Beast from the East, but in recent years, it has been arriving 26 days earlier than it used to. Plants and wildlife have responded to this change – birds sing through winter, butterflies are on the wing in January, fewer animals hibernate, and all kinds of fungi flourish. In this edition of the environmental investigation series, Lindsey Chapman looks at the longterm effects of global warming on Britain’s flora and fauna.

Inconspicuous Consumption

9PM, RADIO 4

The music we listen to in our cars is different – sometimes subtly, at other times dramatically – from the music we listen to elsewhere. Laura Barton wonders what’s going on when we choose our driving sounds.

Richard Marsh: Cardboard Heart

11PM, RADIO 4

Russell Tovey, the actor, author and scriptwriter, stars in this repeated sitcom set in the offices of a greetings card company. Russell plays ‘Beast’, a salesman of great persuasive charm, who shares a flat with the awkward, sensitive, hapless romantic Will (Richard Marsh).

It’s Will’s job to write the heartfelt words and poems for the cards.

It’s Beast’s job, as he sees it, to make Will the butt of every joke.

Russell Tovey (11pm, Radio 4)