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.go...

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 talk...

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.mi...

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...

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...

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/Amani...

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/313...

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...

This week we're discussing a poison that LITERALLY grows on trees for part 2 of our deadly poisons series. This infamous plant gives us an episode filled with twists, turns, and one SUPER messed up marathon. If you like true crime, fun facts, and weird history- you'll love this episode. Sources:  https://www.cdc.gov/chemical-emergencies/chemical-fact-sheets/strychnine.html https://archive....

This week we're embracing spooky season by kicking off a new Series- Deadly Poisons. Our first entry? Castor - the plant ancient Egyptians and cleantok girlies alike adore. If you're into beauty hacks, botanical oddities, and the wild weapons of the cold war, this one is for you. Sources:  https://www.cdc.gov/chemical-emergencies/chemical-fact-sheets/strychnine.html https://archive.org/det...

This is a quick update on where I've been, what I've been up to, and what comes next for this podcast! Thank you all so much for continuing to listen and support me while I was away. We'll be back with a brand new episode tomorrow. See you then!

okay- we are back with a Drunk History style episode, this time brought to you by night time cold and flu medicine. I do actually believe getting to yap about victorian ladies and the history of the modern house plant industry DID heal me, so in some ways this episode might be medicinal... either way, if you like unhinged recaps of history, ferns, and victorian madness, you'll dig what we have...

Hello friends, and welcome back for a special (kind of chatty) episode of Rooted! We're talking about 2 infamous plant pranks, media literacy, my weird obsession with making hyper-specific power points as a child, and so much more. This one was recorded while I was still very much recovering from covid, so please be gentle with me! I am happy to report I am feeling much better now and will be easi...

This week we're digging into the magic of community by taking a quick peak into the Lagoon Fairy Tree (or Bush depending on who you ask) in Ireland. After being really sick for 2 weeks (and candidly really sad about what's happening with our Parks and Public Lands here in the US) this was a good reminder of what we can do when we work together. No action is too silly or too small when it c...

In celebration of my birthday and the almost end of super dark days, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite pods and people- so I put together a playlist with most of them! Playlist Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZmoRRmjYE8njWal53on7Y?si=9hzYCUXTS_W-XubZF4IZWg&nd=1&dlsi=af2759387a494b6b Looking for more Rooted Content?  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our corner of the internet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week we're straying a bit from our typical content and following a few rabbit holes from across old episodes with some new friends- Dave and Julie of Grim Grotto! If you like folk magic, or just thinks on the darker side of history, you'll really like this one! Plus, if you stay to the end you'll get some bonus animal facts you didn't know you needed! HUGE thank you to Dave an...

In honor of attending PlantCon this weekend we're asking some BIG questions, like whhen did we start bringing plants inside? And why can't we all just be victorian women shuttered in our observatories slowly losing it? Find out how we came to be such good friends with ferns, and how the industry has changed over time in this week's episode! And, if you haven't already, be sure to c...

This week we're talking about the FREAKS of the Oak family, Cork oak! These bald beauties pop up in everything from high class wineries to old school science labs, and we couldn't be more perplexed by them. If you're into niche farming, weird growth habits, or just a big fan of oaks, you'll really dig this one! Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_suber https://www.howcor...

This week we're digging in to a sappy favorite- Maple! With history, folklore, and a dash of sweetness, this is one episode you wont want to miss! Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple https://mapleandmoon.com/blogs/news/the-magic-of-the-maple https://www.maplelaboratory.com/culture.html https://www.curiousordinary.com/2021/08/momiji.html#:~:text=In%20Japanese%20folklore%20there%20is,an...

To get us all in the swing of Valentines Day, I thought it wasa good time to review florigraphy! This way we can all carefully decode our bouquets and find out if they're from a secret admirer or a petty betty.

This week we're literally spicing it up by digging into clove! This one is heavy on history and science, so if you like those episodes you'll want to tune in! Looking for more Rooted Content?   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our corner of the internet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! You'll find our transcripts, show notes, and so much more. Sources:  https://www.solidagoherbschool.com/blog/2020/12/4/pzlyjvnquk2d...

This week we're back with another episode on a favorite in-season fruit- Oranges! If you want to learn more about how we cracked scurvy, color theory, or the botanist who liked oranges so much he turned he took a bunch of trees on a high sea adventure, we've got you covered. Sources:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_(fruit) https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/the-age-of-scurvy/#:~...

To celebrate the start of 2025 and two years of Rooted, we put together a playlist of all of our...less structured.. moments. Here's to another year of research rabbit holes, weird questions, and lots of laughs! Playlist link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/61OAKvIi4gNj8IOkAGcHGR?si=jue7BbPkS9OIFDrE_4htJQ&nd=1&dlsi=618f940d37f8464b Looking for more Rooted Content?  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our corn...