rootbound

First, the Language of Flowers, well at least according to a random book from 1884. Then Kelly shares about a plant and a cat with lots of meaning. Steve shares an embarrassing high school memory involving an often ignored plant. Finally, a brief discussion of Plant Awareness Disparity Show Notes! The Language of Flowers Genus Zantedeschia on Wikipedia Zantedeschia aethiopica, the common Calla Lil...

First, we learn about the word “raceme” (not “race me”). Then Josh shares about a plant he likes to take selfies with. Steve shares about an until now unappreciated hedge plant in his yard which is also poison. Finally, Steve goes for a walk and uses an app. Show Notes! Wikipedia page for “Raceme” Verbascum thapsus on Wikipedia Foraging for Mullein Crime Pays but Botany Doesn’t The Illegal Fishing...

What is a cultivar? Then Vikram shares about a bad plant and Steve has a hot take about a popular nut. Finally, a rabbit hole on ornamental trees and who is Bradford anyway? Show Notes! Cultivar on Wikipedia What are Brassicas, Exactly? Bradford Pear Has Many Assets The Rise and Fall of the Ornamental Callery Pear Tree The stinky scourge of suburbia North Carolina’s Bradford Pear Bounty Program Wa...

This episode marks a new era of rootbound! Karla, our first repeat guest, discusses the tomato, its name, its chemistry and why europeans were afraid of it. Steve also discusses the tomato, bad performances and also fear of tomatoes. Finally, a little rootbound premier. Show Notes! I Say Tomato, You Say… Apple of Paradise? Why the Tomato Was Feared in Europe for More Than 200 Years Lycopene o...

First, monoecious vs dioecious. Then Debbie shares a plant that stings and how to eat it. Also, some chemistry, some taxonomy and some poison milk. The episode finishes with a little poetry and a little disclaimer.

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 P...

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...

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 scien...

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 Decorat...

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...

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...

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...

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 Cact...

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 carniv...

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 f...

Juicy plants. Then Adarsh of Aloe shares about the plant that inspired his community name. Then Steve shares yet another weed in his yard. Finally, Steve talks about dinosaurs from outer space for some reason. Show Notes! How Succulents Took Over Instagram—and Then the World Aloe, the climate action community Aloe, the plant Why the ancient Egyptians called Aloe Vera the plant of immortality Horse...

Shrub! Bush! Subshrub? Then, Michael makes up a fun and more accurate name for a shrub with sweet berries. Then Steve talks about a shrub with spicy berries. Finally, another shrub fact. Show Notes! What is the difference between a Shrub and a Bush? Autumn Olive: Your Invasive. Seedy Neighbor Identifying and Foraging Autumn Olive Autumn Olives - The Invasive Superberry Spicebush on Atlas Obscura H...

What is an invasive species? Then Reena discusses a childhood memory and Steve goes on a bee tangent. Later Steve shares about a weed, football and hinduism. Finally, Anwesha shares another childhood memory. Show Notes! National Invasive Species Information Center Executive Order 13112 - Invasive Species Invasive Species Definition Clarification and Guidance Honeysuckle on Wikipedia Honeysuckle fa...

Cactuses! Cacti? This episode has the first two Cactuses… Cacti covered on rootbound! Steve goes over some cactus basics. Then, Wil shares about a pointy but tasty cactus. Steve shares about a pointier and less tasty variety. Finally, Steve takes a nostalgia trip to an auto repair shop in the desert. Show Notes! Cactus on Wikipedia CAM Plants on Wikipedia Opuntia on Wikipedia Prickly Pear Cactus:...

It is the fall special! Rebecca, Karla and Steve talk plants and fall including pumpkins, figs, leaves and more! Plus the podcasting premiere of a special guest! Show Notes! Fall on Wikipedia Autumn: Frost Country Vivaldi’s Four Seasons It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Family Farm in Autumn How Jack O’Lanterns Originated in Irish Myth Why leaves fall — and the good deeds they do Why Fall Color...

Thinking about Moss. Then Stefan shares about a magical plant that is not moss. Steve shares about a beautiful weed that sound like a man’s name. Finally, a poem. This week’s guest on rootbound is Stefan Lessard, bassist for the Dave Matthews Band Show Notes! Wikipedia page for Moss Vascular Plants Spanish Moss, ‘The Swampy Cousin Of The Pineapple’ The Facts about Spanish Moss Tillandsia usneoides...

Some vocabulary for the first time in a while. Steve refines his understanding of a word. Then Rachael shares her favorite flower which is definitely worth deep sniff. Steve exposes a secret about himself and talks about making alcohol again. Finally, some blooping. Show Notes! Inflorescence on Wikipedia Types of inflorescence Hyacinth on Wikipedia Are Hyacinths Poisonous? (yes) All about Hyacinth...

This week we have another special episode! Ryan explains how he almost broke the show and then shares dazzling details about the soybean. Then Steve talks more about the soybean and Bob Dylan. Finally, Steve eats some special soybeans. Warning: If you don’t like mouth noises, skip the final segment. Show Notes! Soybean wikipedia Statue of Liberty Goes Green with Soy Soy Puns Production of Soybean...

The density of dazzling details delivered by our guest is through the roof this episode! Kristina gives us the facts on agave and its myriad uses. Steve talks about a grape with a fun name. Finally, Steve makes more booze. Show Notes! Agave on Wikipedia Xerophyte on Wikipedia Monocarpic on Wikipedia Making paper from Agave How mezcal is made How tequila is made Pulque - The sacred Mexican drink of...

This week we check back in with Jill from episode 033 who shares a plant-based animal fact and then Steve tells a lame joke. Then Kathy shares her passion for okra, how to grow it, how to eat it, etc. Steve talks about another rotting fruit. Finally, Jill pops back in with another fun plant-based animal fact. Show Notes! Koalas Eat Toxic Leaves to Survive — Now Scientists Know How Okra on wikipedi...