Branch Out

Australia has seen deadly cases of mushroom poisonings this past year, with some making world headlines. In this episode of Branch Out, Hannah Izzard chats to Professor Brett Summerall, Chief Scientist from Botanic Gardens of Sydney, on the fascinating powers of the fungi kingdom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Branch Out, we investigate the massive issue of plastic waste in our environment. You’ll hear from scientist Dr Denise Hardesty and business owner Mitchell Taylor on new technologies like machine learning and engineering products transforming the way we use and think about plastic waste. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roughly 70% of all Australian species of plants, animals, fungi and other organisms have yet to be discovered, named and classified. In this episode of Branch Out we’re featuring an episode from The Business of Biodiversity podcast: Taxonomy – the benefits of naming nature. You’ll learn about the fascinating and important field of taxonomy and how it's potentially worth billions of dollars to the Australian economy. The Business of Biodiversity Podcast is produced by the Grow Love Project and Saving our Species program at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attention true crime junkies, you’re about to learn about one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in the botanical world… as we continue to uncover the global phenomenon of stealing rare and exotic plants.    In this episode you'll hear from Richard Barley, Director of Gardens at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London, about the eerie disappearance of the African water lily - one of Earth’s rarest plants stolen from the biggest botanic garden in the world.    You'll also hear from John Siemon, Director of Horticulture and Living collections at Botanic Gardens of Sydney, about why plant theft is a massive problem plaguing Botanic Gardens. John recalls some of the desperate measures avid plant collectors have resorted to over the years and explains why these green-fingered thieves are threatening the survival of many endangered species.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices