rootbound

Latest Episodes:

episode 058: The Franklin Tree and Southern Beech Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

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

Pondering a botanical enigma of the lost Franklinia

Franklinia Series: Finding Franklinia alatamaha (Part One)

New hybrid ‘Sweet Tea’ Mountain Gordlinia is a sweet addition to the garden

Nothofagus

New Zealand Nothofagus beech forest no more

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

episode 057: Hydrangea and Bluebonnet Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

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 Know If You Love Hydrangeas
Oak-leaf hydrangea, Alabama's State Wildflower
Texas State Flower
The Texas Bluebonnet: Its Legends and Myths
The Prevailing Myth of Picking Texas Bluebonnets
A Lupine's “Wolf Fang”
About the Texas Bluebonnet Award
Where the Wildflowers Grow (All about the TxDOT Wildflower Program)

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episode 056: Corn Plant and Parlor Palm Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

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 scientists
Dracaena Fragans
Corn Plant at Houseplantexpert.com
Chamaedorea elegans
The story of the Parlor Palm
Xate
Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve leading the way in responsible forest management
The website of Hilary Russo
HIListically Speaking with Hilary Russo Podcast
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episode 055: Winter! Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

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 Decorate With Holly at Christmas?
Winter Plants: The Magic of Mistletoe
Poinsettias at Christmas
Why do we have Christmas trees? The surprising history behind this holiday tradition.
Vernalization
Dormancy: A Key to Winter Survival
Here's Why You Get an Orange in Your Christmas Stocking
Why Spray Fruit Trees With Water Before a Freeze
Episodes Featuring Karla: 003, 020, 030, 044
Episode Featuring Anwesha: 006, 020
Mugsy the Brooklyn Schnoodle on Instagram
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episode 054: Sphagnum Moss and American Sycamore Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

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 more common?
Blood Magic: A History of Menstruation - The Exploress Podcast
Tangled history of the European uses of Sphagnum moss and sphagnol
Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park
Etymology of Plane Tree
Sycamores: Not Just Another Plane Tree
Have you thought about using sycamore lately?
Peat and Peatification and how coal is formed
When it comes to sucking up carbon emissions, ‘the ocean has been forgiving.’ That might not last
The Woodwell Climate Research Center
Ruizium - the personal website of Sarah Ruiz
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episode 053: Rosemary and Parsley Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

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
Rosemary essential oil and its components
Homemade steam distillation of rosemary
Parsley: An Understated Herb
How Did Curly Parsley Get So Uncool?
Where’ve you been, curly parsley?
Why the parsley garnish?
The Mystique of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
...Tell Her To Make Me A Cambric Shirt
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episode 052: Mixed Greens no. 2 Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

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 ivy rash again
Meadow Sweet Apiaries
How to Make Apple Jack
Poems about Daisies written by artificial intelligence

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episode 51: Dioscorea elephantipes and Purslane Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

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 Cactus Store in L.A.
Weed Society of America page on Purslane
Common purslane: a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
Eat the Weeds video on Purslane
Common weed may be ‘super plant’ that holds key to drought-resistant crops
C4 Photosynthesis from Khan Academy
Cam Plants from Khan Academy
The Edwards Lab at Yale
This Blew Up - Alyssa’s Podcast
Alyssa’s website
The Ringer

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episode 050: Thread-leaved Sundew and Venus Flytrap Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

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 carnivorous plant resource
Introduction to thread leaf sundews
Fly Traps Can Count!
Watch a Venus flytrap glow in response to touch
Dropping like flies - Criminal Podcast
How the Venus flytrap got its taste for meat
Little Shop of Horrors: Beyond the Plant is Poverty
Greek Chorus on Wikipedia
Diegetic vs. Non-Diegetic Sound: What’s the Difference?
Diegesis on Wikipedia
All of Tea’s Links
ScienTEAfic on Patreon
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episode 049: Herb-Paris and White Oak Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

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 forest industry?

Quercus Alba on Wikipedia

Why Does Bourbon Have to Be Aged in New Oak Barrels?

Making Bacon Out Of… ACORNS! from Black Forager

Wye Oak on Wikipedia

Mobilizing to Preserve the Wye Oak

The Wye Oak Gallery