Rooted: A Plant Podcast

This week we are kicking things off by digging a little deeper into the King fern, aka my pick for Chaz Tennenbaum as a fern.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marattiaceae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Royal_Tenenbaums

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptisana_salicina

https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/ptisana-salicina/

https://www.temarareo.org/TMR-Para.html

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7746669/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S037887412400117X#:~:text=The%20extracts%20of%20edible%20fern,done%20in%20a%20standardized%20way.

https://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/Taxon/Ptisana-salicina.html

Remember last week when I said the Marattiaceae family was like the Royal Tennenbaums? Well, for the next few weeks I'm exploring that theory further by paring each family member with their frond-y counterpart.

This week we're taking a closer look at a giant grandpa that has captured the hearts, minds, and brains of tons paleobotanists- Psaronius, a now-extinct giant tree fern that's still teaching us a ton about what ancient ecosystems likely looked like. If you like oldies but goodies, fun fern facts, and doodles lovingly drawn by a researcher who REALLY wants to help you see what they are talking about, you'll love this one.

Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marattiaceae good start to tenenbaum fern family deep dive

https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/IB181/VPL/SpheFe/SpheFe4.html

https://steurh.home.xs4all.nl/engpsar/epsaron.html#wortel

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034666799000330

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034666721000026

https://library.isgs.illinois.edu/Pubs/pdfs/circulars/c492.pdf the leaf scarring source! The hand drawn pictures are a heartwarming treat that *DID* make me cry a little because I love people’s passion so much- a good reminder that humanity can be lovely (just in case you also need it right now)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv5DKzLbvS8

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034666714000347

This week we FINALLY wrap up the Deadly Poisons Series with a local favorite- Oleander! Whether its spoiled s'mores, heartbreaking lore, or a heated rivalry turned deadly you're interested in, this episode truly has something for everyone.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogbane

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/47362-Apocynaceae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a532

https://www.oleander.org/Oleander-Library

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0254629924004915

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4427598/

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-10-me-156-story.html

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10959856/

https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/43619

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8902680/

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/oleandrin

This week to celebrate the return of Jujutsu Kaisen AND Rooted as a weekly podcast, we're asking an important question- What would *really* happen if you ate a dead Man's finger? Find out with me in this weeks episode and be sure to tune in to season 3 starting TOMORROW!

*I am still getting the hang of my new set up, so please excuse the slightly scrappy editing- in 2026 we're working on it AND on letting go of perfection for the sake of progress.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummia

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/dead-mans-fingers/#:~:text=Dead%20man's%20fingers%20are%20sexual,in%20contact%20with%20each%20other.

https://foragerchef.com/dead-mans-fingers-xylaria-polymorpha/

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/xylaria-polymorpha

https://helda.helsinki.fi/server/api/core/bitstreams/0c241c08-fe9c-4ffa-a37f-1d9784589ca5/content

https://research.wsu.edu/news/dead-mans-fingers-alien-eggs-and-zombies-unwrapping-the-weird-charismatic-lives-of-fungi

https://krocnews.com/ixp/1172/p/dead-mans-fingers-fungus-minnesota/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9124809/

https://www.thewildroom.com/green-sea-fingers

https://thealgaehunter.com/seaweed-types/codium-dead-mans-fingers/

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/dead-mans-fingers

Welcome back to Rooted! To ease my way back from the break, we're doing a quick review of some of the plants scientists discovered in 2025!

Sources:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-the-wooly-devil-the-first-new-plant-genus-discovered-in-a-national-park-since-1976-180986117/

This week we are back with another deadly poison and true crime case, this time featuring an old favorite - Hemlock! If you like fun facts, folklore, or story heavy episodes, this one is for you!

PS- sorry it is late! Between the technical difficulties and health issues it was starting to feel like this one might never see the light of day, but here we are! And we'll be back next week with an episode filled with plant secrets, botany drama, and a salacious scheme from rival businesses..I promise it will be worth the wait.

This week we're focusing on fungus, but continuing our deadly poisons series with Death Cap Mushrooms. These absolutely lethal little guys are killers in disguise, making them one of the most lethal poisons out there. Tune in to learn what makes them so dangerous and how they were used in a Beef Wellington that would send Gordon Ramsay to the grave.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_phalloides
• https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/fungi-and-lichens/deathcap/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26375431/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691515300594?via%3Dihub
• https://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/death-cap-mushrooms
• https://www.npr.org/2025/05/02/nx-s1-5383874/erin-patterson-murder-trial-poison-mushroom-australia
• https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/08/erin-patterson-sentence-australia-mushroom-murder-ntwnfb

Looking for more Rooted Content? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our corner of the internet⁠⁠⁠⁠! You'll find our transcripts, show notes, and so much more.

*Disclaimer- This content is for entertainment purposes only. I am just a lady who likes plants, which in no way qualifies me to give you advice on well...anything, really. As always, please consult with your medical care team before making any changes to your diet or medications. *

As a special bonus episode in the Deadly Poisons series we've lovingly remastered an old favorite! This week we’re digging into cosmetic turned conspirator- Belladonna. If empowered ladies, wacky medical history, ancient makeup, or valkyries are your vibe, you won't want to miss this one.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropa_belladonna

https://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/3133

https://www.thecottagemystic.com/belladonna.html

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/ethnobotany/Mind_and_Spirit/belladonna.shtml

https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/deadly-nightshade-botanical-biography

https://eldrum.co.uk/2016/01/20/hecates-herbs-part-one/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Odin-Norse-deity

https://www.lifeinnorway.net/valkyries/

https://www.jstor.org/stable/4253115

https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/deadly-nightshade-botanical-biography#:~:text=Belladonna%20means%20%27beautiful%20woman%27%20in,to%20name%20just%20a%20few.

https://www.ambius.com/resources/blog/plant-profile/history-of-the-deadly-nightshade-plant#:~:text=During%20the%20Middle%20Ages%2C%20a,that%20was%20seen%20as%20fashionable.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/atropa-belladonna

https://imss.org/2020/05/01/a-note-from-the-collections-from-assassinations-to-witches-brews-the-troubled-history-of-the-belladonna-plant/

by BackgroundMusicLab from Pixabay

by freesound_community from Pixabay

Looking for more Rooted Content? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our corner of the internet⁠⁠⁠! You'll find our transcripts, show notes, and so much more.

*Disclaimer- This content is for entertainment purposes only. I am just a lady who likes plants, which in no way qualifies me to give you advice on well...anything, really. As always, please consult with your medical care team before making any changes to your diet or medications. *

For part 3 in the deadly poisons series we're taking a closer look at cyanide. Whether you realize it or not, you interact with cyanide a lot more than you probably think, and while this one is a bit less focused on a specific plant, we still cover a LOT of ground, including why plants develop poisonous compounds, cures, and cults.

Sources:

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/tsp/substances/ToxSubstance.aspx?toxid=19

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/thiosulfate

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507796/#:~:text=Cyanide%20toxicity%20is%20a%20rare,individual%20murders%2C%20and%20chemical%20warfare.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6813a3.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanide_poisoning

https://centerforhealthsecurity.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/cyanide.pdf

https://www.basf.com/global/en/who-we-are/history/chronology/1925-1944/1933-1945/kampfstoffe-und-zyklon-b

https://en.https://vault.fbi.gov/jonestownwikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown

Looking for more Rooted Content? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our corner of the internet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You'll find our transcripts, show notes, and so much more.

*Disclaimer- This content is for entertainment purposes only. I am just a lady who likes plants, which in no way qualifies me to give you advice on well...anything, really. As always, please consult with your medical care team before making any changes to your diet or medications. *