Branch Out

Latest Episodes:

Banking our bush foods Sep 26, 2019

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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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