Branch Out

Jan 16 2025 58 ep. 19 mins 537

Branch Out Podcast artwork

From catching killers to making medicine - discover the surprising world of plants with your host, Vanessa Fuchs, as you hear from passionate experts from around the world protecting flora and our future.

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Bonus episode: The Corpse Flower - a plant to die for

Jan 16 2025 17 mins

In this bonus episode of Branch Out, host Bec Davis chats to Jarryd Kelly, Curator Manager of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, about the highly-anticipated bloom of the Corpse Flower. Jarryd takes us behind the scenes as this exotic plant, which only flowers for 24 hours and creates an infamously pungent odour, has been years in the making. Watch the livestream on YouTube so you ca

From killers to healers: the powers of fungi

Dec 18 2024 22 mins

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

How scientists are using AI to hunt down plastic

Oct 23 2024 21 mins

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

Taxonomy - the benefits of naming nature

Sep 11 2024 33 mins

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 bill

Stealing rare and exotic plants

Aug 07 2024 12 mins

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 - o

Exposing the illegal plant trade

Jun 21 2024 13 mins

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 U

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Curating plant-love at The Calyx

Dec 09 2022 11 mins

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

Fast Flora Facts: Machete-wielding plant

Oct 21 2022 5 mins

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

Tree detective at the pub

Oct 10 2022 12 mins

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