episode 130: Coca and Kola
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 130: Coca and Kola

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Anaís Azul. Anaís shares an about an often misunderstood plant that is connected to her music, family and culture. Steve discusses another often misunderstood plant and then talks about soft drinks for a while. Finally, various musical interludes.

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episode 129: Carbon Dioxide Flux Music
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 129: Carbon Dioxide Flux Music

Summer Vacation is over and Steve has been messing around with something in the basement. This episode is the result of that basement experimentation. Steve is joined by Karla as he shares some Carbon Flux Music — all will be explained

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episode 128: Summer Vacation 1.2
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 128: Summer Vacation 1.2

Another summer vacation episode of rootbound. Steve spends a lot of time talking about a bug but he eventually gets back to plants. The show closes with a song by Surrija

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episode 126: Snake Plant and Snake Berry + the Future of Orchids
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 126: Snake Plant and Snake Berry + the Future of Orchids

The guest on this episode is Phaan Howng! We talk about two botanical “snakes”, get slightly provocative regarding houseplants, go on several tangents, and finally end on the Future of Orchids. We also meet Virginia Thaxton, Interior Horticulturist at Smithsonian Gardens at the Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery/American Art museum.

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episode 125: Coastal Redwood and Brazil Nut
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 125: Coastal Redwood and Brazil Nut

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Sophia Mahoney-Rohrl aka Gentle Millennial Friend. First, Steve is in Switzerland talking about clouds. Then, Sophia shares a big, fire-loving, mysterious tree. Steve shares about killer nuts and the tree they belong to. Finally, Steve discovers a tree in an unexpected place.

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episode 123: Sword Fern and Virginia Copperleaf
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 123: Sword Fern and Virginia Copperleaf

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Tina Guldhammer-Frei of Greet The Wild! First, Steve stands near some trees. Then, Tina shares the first fern on the show and how it has lead her on her journey into nature. Steve talks about yet another “weed” in his yard. Finally, Steve dives deep into the reproductive cycle of ferns.

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episode 122: Potatoes!
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 122: Potatoes!

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Krystal Frame. It’s another special episode of rootbound and this time we’re talkin’ the humble potato! Steve and Krystal chat about potato joy, potato sorrow, outer space, potato face, and history — both family and world varieties. The show closes with some facts inspired by potato jams.

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episode 121: An Eclipse in Spring
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 121: An Eclipse in Spring

On this special spring episode we are talking total eclipses! April 8, 2024 was a total solar eclipse and Steve shares his experience — but this is a plant podcast and so Steve also talks with Daniel Beverly. Daniel shares is experience researching the effect of total solar eclipses on plants during not one, but two total solar eclipses!

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episode 120: Ghost Pipe and Eleven O’Clock Lady
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 120: Ghost Pipe and Eleven O’Clock Lady

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Hannah Vega! First, Steve discusses the concept of medicine (again). Then Hannah explains a ghostly plant that loves mushrooms. Steve talks about avian excrement, the bible and yet another weed in his lawn. Finally, we speculate about the meaning of biblical text in a non-religious way.

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episode 119: Mixed Greens no. 6
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 119: Mixed Greens no. 6

This special Mixed Greens episode of rootbound is kind of all over the place. Steve eats cactus, learns about a gruesome tomato commercial, learns about the nuts history of his family and does a deep dive on fake music with Party Nails.

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episode 117: Spring Break 1.1
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 117: Spring Break 1.1

Steve is on spring break this week but don’t worry, there are still some plant-based fun facts and dazzling details, this time about D.C.’s famed cherry blossoms.

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episode 116: Black Walnut!
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 116: Black Walnut!

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Ashlyn Morgan of Green Canvas Farms. It’s a special episode where we talk everything about the black walnut including wood, nuts, syrup, hair die and industrial grinding. We close with a song named after the tree by Maya Elise and the Good Dream.

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episode 115: Diatoms and European Spruce
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 115: Diatoms and European Spruce

The guest on this episode rootbound is Tanya Sabrina. First, Steve confronts the problem we all have with ALAN. Then Tanya surprises Steve by talking about Diatoms and later some spiders. Steve shares about an evergreen tree that is an unlikely source of vanilla. Finally, Steve shares how to combat ALAN by avoiding ROY.

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episode 114: Baby’s Breath and Common Vetch
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 114: Baby’s Breath and Common Vetch

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Honeycrush. First, a quote from Rachel Carson. Then Honeycrush talks about noticing plants for the first time, sharp grass, local monsters and how flowers are pretty. Steve tries to make vetch happen by discussing Vicia sativa. Finally, a little music and a discussion of Steve’s misunderstandings of a couple metaphors.

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episode 113: Monstera Adansonii and Romeritos
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 113: Monstera Adansonii and Romeritos

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Pam Covarrubias. First, Steve dishes on some perfect flowers. Then Pam shares about a warrior named Lisa and Steve shares about a plant that is the perfect ingredient to go along with molé or glassmaking. Finally, Steve ponders plants and queerness.

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episode 112: Eastern Red Cedar and Spanish Cedar
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 112: Eastern Red Cedar and Spanish Cedar

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Sebi Medina-Tayac of Red Cedar Farms. Sebi and Steve both share cedars which aren’t really cedar (but who is to say?) The cedar Sebi shares is connected to his culture as a member of the Piscataway Indian Nation. The cedar Steve shares is connected to an experience he had in Peru. Finally, we learn a bit more about the symbolic position of a sacred tree in Piscataway Park.

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episode 111: Paper Mulberry and Daffodil
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 111: Paper Mulberry and Daffodil

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Jessika Raisor. First, Steve talks cellulose. Then Jessika shares her passion for producing paper and a tree that started it all. Steve talks a quintessential spring flower. Finally, a poem by Wordsworth.

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