We’re joined by Dr. Vanessa Bieker to look at the origins and diversification of pipe weed, one of the cultural mainstays of Middle Earth. Despite its use all over the continent, the origins of pipe weed are a little murky, with much doubt as to where domestication first took place. Vanessa’s team is investigating the genetic diversity of the plant, testing whether the vast differences across strains are products of the environments they’re grown in, or simply a product of careful cultivation efforts by Hobbits.

To find Vanessa online:

https://twitter.com/BiekerVanessa

https://ecologyforthemasses.com/vanessa-bieker/

To find Sam and Dani online:

https://twitter.com/Aqua_Dan1

https://twitter.com/BigDrFishBoi

Music from Pond5

Biologists of Middle Earth is as always brought to you by Sam Perrin and Dani Crowley. If you enjoyed this episode, let us know, and feel free to send in questions to any of our guests to answer.

Thanks for listening!