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rootbound episodes

  • episode 058: The Franklin Tree and Southern Beech

    On episode 058 we learn about the founder of America’s first botanic garden. Then, Andrew shares the mystery of a tree that is found in that botanic garden. Steve shares about beech trees that aren’t really beech trees. Finally, discussion of extinction in the wild and other species threat levels.

    Show Notes!

    Bartram’s Garden

    Bartram’s Boxes Historical Marker

    Franklinia – a Horticultural Mystery

    Pondering a botanical enigma of the lost Franklinia

    Franklinia Series: Finding Franklinia alatamaha (Part One)

    New hybrid ‘Sweet Tea’ Mountain Gordlinia is a sweet addition to the garden

    Nothofagus

    New Zealand Nothofagus beech forest no more

    The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

    49 min
  • episode 057: Hydrangea and Bluebonnet

    On episode 57 of rootbound, we take the highway to the USDA Hardiness Zones. Then Genevieve tells us about a boastful flower that doesn’t have petals. Steve talks about little blue flowers, children’s books and the wrong side of the law. Finally, Steve discusses pretty flowers along the road.

    Show Notes!
    History of Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
    The official USDA Hardiness Zone Map
    30 Facts You Need to Know If You Love Hydrangeas
    Oak-leaf hydrangea, Alabama's State Wildflower
    Texas State Flower
    The Texas Bluebonnet: Its Legends and Myths
    The Prevailing Myth of Picking Texas Bluebonnets
    A Lupine's “Wolf Fang”
    About the Texas Bluebonnet Award
    Where the Wildflowers Grow (All about the TxDOT Wildflower Program)

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    42 min
  • episode 056: Corn Plant and Parlor Palm

    Plants with names. Then Hilary tells us about Sandy the Corn Plant which is not corn. Steve shares about a palm he encountered in his living room and in the jungles of Guatemala.

    The Senator - Bald Cypress
    General Sherman - Giant Sequoia
    Uncle Fester and Morticia - Titan Arums
    Why It’s So Important That I Give My Plants a Name
    The very specific rules for naming your houseplants, according to scientists
    Dracaena Fragans
    Corn Plant at Houseplantexpert.com
    Chamaedorea elegans
    The story of the Parlor Palm
    Xate
    Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve leading the way in responsible forest management
    The website of Hilary Russo
    HIListically Speaking with Hilary Russo Podcast

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    38 min
  • episode 055: Winter!

    It is the winter special of rootbound! It might not seem like there is much to talk about plants and winter but that’s not the case. Steve, Karla and Anwesha talk about plants, holidays, hot chocolate and a lot more. They are also joined by mostly silent guests Trin and Mugsy.

    Show Notes!
    Hazy Shade of Winter on Wikipedia
    The National Phenology Network
    Hot Chocolate on Wikipedia
    Why Do We Decorate With Holly at Christmas?
    Winter Plants: The Magic of Mistletoe
    Poinsettias at Christmas
    Why do we have Christmas trees? The surprising history behind this holiday tradition.
    Vernalization
    Dormancy: A Key to Winter Survival
    Here's Why You Get an Orange in Your Christmas Stocking
    Why Spray Fruit Trees With Water Before a Freeze
    Episodes Featuring Karla: 003, 020, 030, 044
    Episode Featuring Anwesha: 006, 020
    Mugsy the Brooklyn Schnoodle on Instagram

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    29 min
  • episode 054: Sphagnum Moss and American Sycamore

    First some spore talk. Then Sarah talks about the role moss in combatting climate change. Steve talks about some really big trees. Finally, Steve talks about climate change some more.

    Show Notes!
    This video explains moss reproduction way better than I did
    Sphagnum Moss Wikipedia
    What is Peat - International Peatland Society
    Peatlands and Climate Change
    What are ‘zombie fires’ and are they becoming more common?
    Blood Magic: A History of Menstruation - The Exploress Podcast
    Tangled history of the European uses of Sphagnum moss and sphagnol
    Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park
    Etymology of Plane Tree
    Sycamores: Not Just Another Plane Tree
    Have you thought about using sycamore lately?
    Peat and Peatification and how coal is formed
    When it comes to sucking up carbon emissions, ‘the ocean has been forgiving.’ That might not last
    The Woodwell Climate Research Center
    Ruizium - the personal website of Sarah Ruiz

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    41 min
  • episode 053: Rosemary and Parsley

    First, all about Garnishes! Including three lesser know garnishes! Then Arif explains about rosemary and some chemistry you should not try at home. Steve talks about the every present sprig on plates. Finally, Steve goes to Scarborough Fair.

    Show Notes!
    Etymology of Garnish
    Le Répertoire de la Cusine by Gringoire and Saulnier (direct link to garnish page)
    Etymology of Rosemary
    History of Rosemary
    Rosemary essential oil and its components
    Homemade steam distillation of rosemary
    Parsley: An Understated Herb
    How Did Curly Parsley Get So Uncool?
    Where’ve you been, curly parsley?
    Why the parsley garnish?
    The Mystique of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
    ...Tell Her To Make Me A Cambric Shirt

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    41 min
  • episode 052: Mixed Greens no. 2

    One year of rootbound! rootbound is not public radio, but you can get a totebag. Then a mixed greens episode of the show with many topics including bear leek, anti-capitalist fruit and artificial inteligence poetry!

    Show Notes!
    Support rootbound on Patreon
    Ierburi Uitate on Instragram
    Coat of Arms of Mexico
    Eight Line Poem by David Bowie
    Paw Paw on Atlas Obscura
    How to never have a serious poison ivy rash again
    Meadow Sweet Apiaries
    How to Make Apple Jack
    Poems about Daisies written by artificial intelligence

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    0 min
  • episode 51: Dioscorea elephantipes and Purslane

    Definition of a caudex. Then Alyssa shares a plant that actually makes steve gasp! Then Steve shares about yet another edible weed. Finally, a reading from the bible of salad.

    Show Notes!
    What is a caudex?
    Alyssa’s excellent piece on succulents
    Dioscorea elephantipes on wikipedia
    Some more great pictures and info on Dioscorea elephantipes
    Unusual Seeds on Etsy (where Alyssa got her seeds)
    The Cactus Store in L.A.
    Weed Society of America page on Purslane
    Common purslane: a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
    Eat the Weeds video on Purslane
    Common weed may be ‘super plant’ that holds key to drought-resistant crops
    C4 Photosynthesis from  Khan Academy
    Cam Plants from Khan Academy
    The Edwards Lab at Yale
    This Blew Up - Alyssa’s Podcast
    Alyssa’s website
    The Ringer

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    31 min
  • episode 050: Thread-leaved Sundew and Venus Flytrap

    Episode 050 is the first carnivorous plant episode! First, Charles Darwin and Crabs. Then Tea shares about growing a sticky plant and Steve shares about the most classic of carnivorous plants. Finally, a discussion of mean green mother from outer space and diegesis.

    Show Notes!
    Insectivorous Plants by Charles Darwin
    Why Does Evolution Keep Turning Everything Into Crabs
    Drosera filiformis on carnivorous plant resource
    Introduction to thread leaf sundews
    Fly Traps Can Count!
    Watch a Venus flytrap glow in response to touch
    Dropping like flies - Criminal Podcast
    How the Venus flytrap got its taste for meat
    Little Shop of Horrors: Beyond the Plant is Poverty
    Greek Chorus on Wikipedia
    Diegetic vs. Non-Diegetic Sound: What’s the Difference?
    Diegesis on Wikipedia
    All of Tea’s Links
    ScienTEAfic on Patreon

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    46 min
  • episode 049: Herb-Paris and White Oak

    What is a primary forest? Then Ben tells us about a plant that has something to say about the forests of Sweden. Steve talks about making bacon from acorns. In the end, a tribute to a special tree.

    Show Notes!

    What are Primary Forests and Why Should We Protect Them?

    Sweden’s Six Major Habitat Types

    Paris Quadrifolia on wikipedia

    Paris Quadrifolia on Worldspecies.org

    How unsustainable is Sweden’s forest industry?

    Quercus Alba on Wikipedia

    Why Does Bourbon Have to Be Aged in New Oak Barrels?

    Making Bacon Out Of… ACORNS! from Black Forager

    Wye Oak on Wikipedia

    Mobilizing to Preserve the Wye Oak

    The Wye Oak Gallery

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    43 min

About rootbound

From the publisher's feed

A podcast about plants for when you’re stuck inside.