Branch Out

Exposing the illegal plant trade Jun 21, 2024

From a series of heists in Mexico, to law enforcement agents infiltrating a smuggling ring in South Korea... Get ready to explore the explosive illegal trade of succulents and cacti and learn why scientists are scrambling to discover new and rare species before poachers find them. In this episode you'll hear from Jared Margulies, an assistant professor of political ecology at the University of Alabama and the author of The Cactus Hunters. Jared ventured across seven countries and four continents to uncover a complex world where conservation and criminology crossover, discovering that sometimes, the smuggler and the conservationist are the same person.

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Branch Out trailer Apr 11, 2024

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Curating plant-love at The Calyx Dec 09, 2022

Go behind the scenes with Senior Horticulturist Terra-Nova Sadowski at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to discover what it takes to curate and care for the incredible display of over 20,000 plants inside The Calyx. The latest immersive horticulture display is called Love Your Nature. It celebrates and showcases the colourful, diverse, and fascinating world of plant reproduction and diversity. You'll learn about prehistoric plants that use clones, spores, and seeds to reproduce, and flowering plants that employ colours, shapes, and scents to attract animals. The Calyx is open daily from 10am to 4pm.

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Fast Flora Facts: Machete-wielding plant Oct 21, 2022

Discover how the creator of the machete-wielding philodendron turned this harmless houseplant into armed greenery in this 'fast flora facts' edition of Branch Out.

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Tree detective at the pub Oct 10, 2022

Branch Out host Vanessa Fuchs went to the Pint of Science event at the Keg & Brew in Surry Hills, Sydney to hear an awesome presentation from Dr Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez - a researcher from Western Sydney University known as the “tree detective.”

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Fast Flora Facts: is loving nature in your dna? Sep 15, 2022

An experiment in the 90's by two Russian artists revealed that people from various countries around the world all like the same kind of painting. Discover why and what the results of a new study using twins says about our love for nature.

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Predicting seed germination under climate change Aug 11, 2022

To help protect plant species from the impacts of climate change, scientists from the Australian Institute of Botanical Science and UNSW created a cutting-edge data framework for predicting seed germination using a thermogradient plate.

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Fast Flora Facts: Famous friendship plant Aug 04, 2022

Throughout human history, the gifting and trading of plants has been a way for people to connect. Discover the story behind the Instagram-famous 'friendship plant' that used to be impossible to find, and how you can grow one at home.

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Saving orchids from extinction Jul 28, 2022

Orchids are found on every continent, except Antarctica, growing everywhere from hot swamps to cold mountain tops. Unfortunately, a large proportion of Aussie native orchids are threatened or endangered. From isolating the fungi needed to germinate their seeds to studying their pollinators - discover how scientists like Jessica Wait at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science are using science to help save orchids from extinction.

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Fast Flora Facts: Tulip mania Jul 21, 2022

During the era of the Dutch golden age in 1637, it’s said that one tulip bulb could of bought you a beautiful house on the canal in Amsterdam. Discover how the obsession with these unique flowers allegedly caused the first and most famous market bubble crashes.

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Zero Waste Hacks Jul 07, 2022

From the 'great pacific garbage patch' to 'wet wipe island' - pollution is out of control. But in 2021, Gary Moran went viral for not needing to put out his red council bin for 3 years and 4 months. Discover his simple hacks to reduce your household waste as we feature an episode from the Plants Grow Here podcast by Daniel Fuller.

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Fast Flora Facts: Forensic Botany Jun 30, 2022

Microscopic hairs of a leaf clinging to a murder suspect's jacket is all a forensic botanist needs to crack the case. Discover how two high-profile kidnapping-murder cases in America and Australia were solved using forensic botany and how the field has continued to evolve. You'll also learn the truth behind why the world's most famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, knows so much about poisonous plants.

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Witchcraft revival & the power of plants Jun 23, 2022

#WitchTok videos are clocking up billions of views. Discover why witchcraft is on the rise and the important role plants and nature have to play in its resurgence amongst young people in this magical episode featuring Christina Oakley-Harrington - a modern witch and founder of Treadwells, a famous London bookstore dedicated to the occult.

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Fast Flora Facts: Photosynthesis Jun 16, 2022

Learn how photosynthesis was uncovered by scientists, how this amazing set of biochemical reactions might help find aliens, and meet a cunning species of bacteria that's evolved with stolen photosynthesizing technology.

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Solving the waratah's genetic puzzle Jun 09, 2022

Imagine trying to put together a puzzle with over 900 million pieces without the picture on the box... That's how PhD candidate Stephanie Chen describes her world-first research assembling the complete genome of the iconic waratah species.

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Fast Flora Facts: Trees Jun 02, 2022

From M. Night Shyamalan to the Bible - this debut episode of our Fast Flora Facts edition of Branch Out covers all sorts of amazing bite-sized facts, stories and research about the biggest group in the plant kingdom - trees.

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Talking About Plants Aug 13, 2021

Science communication is a lot like story telling. Hear from Laura Skates, Renee Cawthorne and Dr Karl about the importance of talking on behalf of plants.

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Extreme Botany Aug 03, 2021

Extreme plants call for extreme botany. Explore the dangerous world of cliff faces, low rainfall and challenging temperatures.

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Tree Change Jul 28, 2021

We know a lot of our listeners, like us, are stuck in lockdown - so we've got a special delivery for you! A bonus episode of Branch Out to celebrate National Tree Day. Tune in to hear a casual chat with Andy Leigh, Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney who is studying the effects of climate change on trees and the ecosystems they exist in.

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Heal Country Jul 05, 2021

The theme for NAIDOC week this year is Heal Country. But what does it mean?

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Starting in Science Jun 24, 2021

Hear from students, recent graduates and trainees who are just starting out in their careers as plant scientists. A big thank you to everyone who participated in this episode; Adam Pigott, Piret May, Ryan P. O'Donnell, Ruby E. Stevens, Melanie O'Donovan, Philippa Alvarez, Yasmin Assar, Justin Collette and Lyndle Hardstaff.

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The Plant World Economy May 20, 2021

Find out what photosynthesis has to do with economics.

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Introducing the Australian Institute of Botanical Science Mar 23, 2021

You are invited to join us for the global launch of the Australian Institute of Botanical Science.

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Let's talk about plant sex Nov 05, 2020

Prepare to blush as we explore the unusual, ingenious and sometimes even deceptive ways plants are gettin' it on for the survival of their species.

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Poisonous plants Oct 06, 2020

Plants have developed an array of deadly defences and chemical compounds can turn an innocent looking ornamental into a deadly assassin.

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Battling a plant disease pandemic Sep 08, 2020

When we hear 'pandemic' we immediately think of COVID-19. But there's a deadly plant disease pandemic called 'myrtle rust' tearing through Australia that arrived long before COVID-19. Discover the cutting-edge science that is our best bet for saving our plant species.

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Plants that heal Aug 11, 2020

We're in the middle of once-in-a-century pandemic and coming into peak flu-season in the southern hemisphere. Medicine is on our minds and surprisingly, many developed in the last century were derived from naturally occurring molecules found in plants, bacteria, and fungi.

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Bushfire impacts, recovery & outlook Jul 14, 2020

Australia is a no doubt a sunburnt country and the unique landscape shares a long and important relationship with fire. But even the most fire-adapted plants were devastated by the intense summer bushfires. While new growth is emerging and cutting-edge science is saving species - there's still a long road to recovery for the flora that went up in flames.

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Amazing plant-based inventions Nov 28, 2019

Plants are the source of so many amazing past and new inventions we need in our lives. Discover how scientists are utilising the waste material from banana plants and cashew nut shells to create more environmentally friendly products.

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No Plants No Wine Oct 30, 2019

Even though Australia is new to the wine-making world stage it has produced really iconic drops and inventions such as cask wine and screw caps for bottles. But how did grape vines get here? Discover the art, history and science of wine-making and how it all started down under.

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Banking our bush foods Sep 26, 2019

Australian plants have been used by Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years and now people all over the world are finding a connection to country through cooking with bush foods. Unfortunately, some of these plants are endangered and scientists are collecting and banking seeds to protect their future both on our forks and in the wild.

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Climate change & future-proofing plants Aug 28, 2019

Climate change is the defining issue of our time and 47% of Australia's vegetation could be impacted by an increase in mean annual temperature by 2070. Three passionate scientists share how they are trying to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on flora and our future.

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Deceptive and dangerous stingers Jul 30, 2019

The world's most painful stinging trees call Australia home. Explore this amazing example of plant defence as a range of scientists share their stinging experience and what they’re doing to protect the future of these surprisingly important rainforest plants.

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Going Off Track Jun 26, 2019

Get ready to pick Persoonias from emu poo as Branch Out features an episode from ABC’s dedicated nature program - Off Track. Persoonias are an endangered group of plants that need complex processes to germinate. Could the mystery lynchpin to save them be found in an emu's guts? Go Off Track and join Presenter Ann Jones to find out!

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Plants in Space May 28, 2019

Longer space missions and sustaining human life on other planets depends on space horticulture. So grab your spacesuit and get ready to lift off with NASA astronaut Dr Gregory Chamitoff and scientists from the Australian PlantBank and CSIRO to explore the future of plants in space.

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Unlocking the power of plant data May 14, 2019

The largest herbarium imaging project in the southern hemisphere is underway at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney with over 1 million botanical specimens becoming high-definition digital images. Discover how the images will protect the valuable collection and help researchers around the world make new discoveries to advance science and conservation.

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Plant vs Human Intelligence Apr 30, 2019

Do you need a brain to sense the world around you, remember or learn? Apparently not. Dive into the marvellous work of evolutionary ecologist Dr Monica Gagliano whose pioneering experiments are proving plants are learning behaviour in ways we never thought possible.

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No Plants No Chocolate Apr 16, 2019

This is your golden ticket into the sweet and serious side of chocolate making. You'll also discover how plant diseases are threatening the future supply of the world's chocolate.

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Exploring Aboriginal culture in Sydney Jan 22, 2019

Discover over 60,000 years of culture, plant uses and personal stories from Aboriginal people in Sydney, Australia. You'll also hear from a proud Dharawal elder and his daughter who are keeping their unique Sydney culture alive through storytelling, advocacy, art and research.

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Mistletoe: a festive & freaky parasite Dec 13, 2018

Mistletoe is in love potions, ancient medicines to ward off epilepsy and ulcers and even a Justin Bieber Christmas song and Australia is the true home of mistletoe with about 90 different sap-sucking species. Discover why so many people throughout the ages are fascinated by the mystery and magic of these paradoxical parasites.

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Nature play keeps the doctor away Nov 29, 2018

Who do you think spends the least amount of time outdoors: Chickens, inmates or kids? Discover the growing movement of nature play at various forest schools and kindergartens around the world, including one right here in the heart of Sydney.

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Bizarre BEE-haviour & snotty gobbles Nov 15, 2018

Bees predate the dinosaurs and they've been doing some crazy and complex things inside the hive. From using a 'waggle dance' to communicate where food is, to making 'bee bread' using pollen. It's a short and sweet life for most, but be warned, there are a couple of gruesome ways to die...

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Cow paddock to biggest botanic garden Nov 02, 2018

How was a cow paddock in Western Sydney transformed into the biggest botanic garden in Australia? And what's the difference between a park and a botanic garden anyway? Join the legendary Graham Ross and the Garden's Curator John Siemon as they share the incredible story of the Australian Botanic Garden and its best features.

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Plants with Bite: sticky, sneaky & freaky Oct 05, 2018

What makes a plant a killer? Join one of Australia's foremost experts on carnivorous plants, and discover the different tactics these murderous munchers use to lure, trap and trick their prey.

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What's a herbarium? Sep 21, 2018

You might think the National Herbarium of NSW is where we keep our finest coriander, mint and basil. Actually, this vital facility contains over 1 million plant specimens used for scientific research, and some are almost 250 years old! Walk through the corridors of this 165-year-old building and discover this historical hub and heart of plant sciences.

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Growing communities with gardens Sep 06, 2018

Some communities can't access green space, depriving them of the physical, mental and social benefits that nature brings. Discover how the Community Greening program is changing the health and wellbeing of communities one garden at a time.

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Detective botany & DNA with Barbara Briggs Aug 23, 2018

Dr Barbara Briggs is one of Australia’s leading botanists and police used her skills in the 1960’s to assist a kidnapping-murder case. But over the course of her 59 years of research at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, she’s been part of an even bigger investigation: EVOLUTION.

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Botany, bryophytes and a bizarre discovery Aug 10, 2018

They're among the first types of land plants to appear on Earth about 470 million years ago, but bryophtes are easy to overlook - unless you're Matt or Trevor. On a field trip to the very tip of Far North Queensland, they came across a curious new species growing in a highly unusual place...

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No Plants No Future Jul 25, 2018

There's a back-up plan for plants going extinct in the wild - it's called seedbanking. Scientists from the Australian PlantBank spend weeks in the field tracking down native plant material from all over the country to bring back to the incredible facility in Western Sydney, so they don’t disappear forever.

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No Plants No Past: Protecting Our Prehistoric Pine Jul 11, 2018

The Wollemi Pine was thought to be extinct for 60 million years until it was accidentally discovered by David Noble in 1994 during a weekend bushwalk, 150km from Sydney. Our living fossil captures the imagination and attention of the world because it offers a window into the past, but now scientists are focused on protecting its future.

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No Plants No Animals Jun 27, 2018

Discover how the remarkable digestive ability of the endangered Southern Cassowary keeps itself, rainforests, and us alive.

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No Plants No Food Jun 13, 2018

Put on your detective hat and lab coat and enter the strange and microscopic world of deadly plant diseases threatening our food crops and native flora.

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No Plants No Medicine May 30, 2018

Explore the deadly and life-saving chemicals found in plants. From tea tree oil to morphine, we use nearly 15,000 different plant species for medicinal purposes.

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