Branch Out podcast

Episode 52: Stealing rare and exotic plants

Attention true crime junkies, you’re about to learn about one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in the botanical world… as we continue to uncover the global phenomenon of stealing rare and exotic plants.

In this episode you'll hear from Richard Barley, Director of Gardens at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London, about the eerie disappearance of the African water lily - one of Earth’s rarest plants stolen from the biggest botanic garden in the world.

You'll also hear from John Siemon, Director of Horticulture and Living collections at Botanic Gardens of Sydney, about why plant theft is a massive problem plaguing Botanic Gardens. John recalls some of the desperate measures avid plant collectors have resorted to over the years and explains why these green-fingered thieves are threatening the survival of many endangered species.