In this episode of Botanismi, we open the story of sporopollenin—one of the toughest substances ever made by living things. From ancient spores to family heirlooms, we explore how plants found a way to preserve their legacy across deep time.

Written, recorded, and produced by Giacomo Bagni (@giaccoxxx) and Veronica Lugaro (@veronicalugaro_prie).
Scientific content by Sole Calbi (@msole_calbi).
Created as part of the Urban Bees project by Alle Ortiche (@alleortiche), supported by Fondazione Carige through the “+ Api. Oasi Fiorite per la Biodiversità” grant.
Sound design by Giacomo Bagni and Veronica Lugaro.
Intro/outro music: Jumbel by Blue Dot Sessions.
Cover art: adapted from a photo courtesy of the British Library (10.Tab.40).

Sounds:

• Dog barks in the distance by Garuda1982 — https://freesound.org/s/554600/
• Sunday Bells of church “Chiesa di Santa Maria” in Piana di Castiglione del Lago, Italy by j.tauscher — https://freesound.org/s/669568/
• Town or suburbs amb - spring, day by eric5335 — https://freesound.org/s/52740/
• Tape Recorder.wav by Pogotron — https://freesound.org/s/61075/

Bibliography:
https://www.quantamagazine.org/how-the-diamond-of-the-plant-world-helped-land-plants-evolve-20220719/