episode 090: Cattail and Old Man's Beard
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 090: Cattail and Old Man's Beard

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Irene Lyla Lee. First, a series of tubes and some new vocabulary. Then Irene shares about a plant we now have the option to call the Dragon’s Corn Dog. Steve talks about a plant with many names but chooses not to call it Devil’s Darning Needles. Finally, a Myth for Chicory.

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episode 089: Birch!
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 089: Birch!

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Lynne Campbell of the Scotland on Shrooms podcast. First, the difference between hardwood and softwood. Then, Lynne shares about her grandad’s favorite tree, Rabbie Burns and a Swiss mummy. Steve is a total bummer. Finally. the Birks o’ Aberfeldy.

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episode 088: Violets!
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 088: Violets!

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Nina Veteto. First, Steve stands in a forest. Then Nina shares a touching story about how she acquired her favorite flower and oh so many violet facts. Steve tries to keep up with a facts about Iodine and the electromagnetic spectrum. Finally, a poem in the woods.

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episode 087: Nasturtium!
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 087: Nasturtium!

Our guest on this episode of rootbound is Party Nails! It’s another special episode with just one plant but first pretends to be a DJ. Then Party Nails shares the magic of eating a flower. Steve goes too deep into etymology again. Then many targets are taken, and the start a band? Finally, a Non-Stop Rock Block.

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episode 086: Thunderstorm Orchid and Straw-Colored Flatsedge
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 086: Thunderstorm Orchid and Straw-Colored Flatsedge

This episode’s guest is Evan Foster! First, the unexpected etymology of “Orchid”. Then Evan talks about a plant that only likes it when it rains. Steve talks about a plant but mostly about what it’s not. Finally, some ridiculousness with sedge and a discussion of mycorrhizal fungi.

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episode 085: Pinyon Pine and Mesquite
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 085: Pinyon Pine and Mesquite

This episode of rootbound’s guest is Erica Davis. First we talk cones. Next, Erica shares about native nuts, foraging and shaking the wrong tree. Steve shares a childhood misunderstanding about trees and barbecue. Finally, a dad joke.

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episode 084: Purple Pitcher Plant and Ocotillo
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 084: Purple Pitcher Plant and Ocotillo

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Chris Jameson. First, we figure out Botany. Then Chris explains a carnivorous plant with a lot of P’s. Steve explains a desert plant that looks like some weird candles. We end with a final fun fact about Chris’s plant

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Episode 083: Summer Again!
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

Episode 083: Summer Again!

It’s the summer special episode! Steve and Karla go on a road trip to the Catskills and discuss forests, water, bugs and of course Summer! Steve spots his first spotted lanternfly.

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Episode 082: Staghorn Sumac and Tree of Heaven
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

Episode 082: Staghorn Sumac and Tree of Heaven

Why are things sour? Then Shane Alden, aka The Wild Dryad, talks about Staghorn Sumac, a plant with sour berries — it is not poison sumac. Steve shares a plant that looks like Sumac but isn’t. Finally, we explore the strange origins of pink lemonade.

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episode 080: Striga and Mistletoe
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 080: Striga and Mistletoe

Parasitic Plants! First, Swifty aka OldCrothFace aka Elizabeth Kelly talks about witchweed and its enchanting effects. Then Steve shares all about Mistletoe, including the surprising meaning of its name. Finally, the illusion of old radio.

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episode 079: California Poppy and Catalpas
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 079: California Poppy and Catalpas

This episodes’ guest is Jen Joyce! First, how do flowers know when to bloom? The Jen stumbles upon the California Superbloom but is time travel involved? Steve talks about a tree with beans and worms. Finally, a few Historic American Trees.

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episode 078: Ranunculus and Wood Sorrel
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 078: Ranunculus and Wood Sorrel

First, plant genera named after famous women botanists. Then Anwesha talks about a plant that is a lot prettier than it sounds. Steve makes Anwesha eat a weed. Finally, nyctinasty.

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episode 077: Forsythia and Wild Grape
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 077: Forsythia and Wild Grape

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Isaias Hernandez. First, Steve thinks too much about knowledge. Then Isaias shares about a yellow flower, foraging and syrup. Steve talks about grapes — but not the ones you are thinking of— and a bug that nearly destroyed an industry. Also, making a drink based on a hike.

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episode 076: Arrowhead Plant and Ironweed
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 076: Arrowhead Plant and Ironweed

The guest for this episode of rootbound is Ryan Rimmele. First we talk genera and a bunch of dudes. Then Ryan talks about his sibling with a twist. Steve shares about a weed, Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.

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episode 075: Pothos and Banana
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 075: Pothos and Banana

The guest on this episode of rootbound is Shelley Kim. First, the definition of Geotropism. Then Shelley coins the name Lucifer Leaf™ while talking about her passion for a particular houseplant. Steve spends his time explaining jokes about bananas. Finally, a vaudevillian mystery solved.

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episode 074: Garlic and Field Garlic
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 074: Garlic and Field Garlic

This episode’s guest is David Lanni. It’s a fake ad extravaganza! First, we catch up on plants previous discussed on rootbound. Then Dave discusses Garlic, Vampires and of course, Paracelsus. Steve talks about eating another weed from his yard. Finally, a fake ad blitz courtesy of Artificial Intelligence.

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episode 073: Pickling Cucumbers and Kentucky Bluegrass
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 073: Pickling Cucumbers and Kentucky Bluegrass

Pickles! Steve talks about a potentially unique quirk about the word Pickle. Then Audrey shares a family pickle recipe and some interesting uses for cucumbers. Steve talks about Bluegrass — the plant and the music. Finally, Steve goes on a tangent about a Coen Brothers film.

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episode 072: Hoya and Echeveria
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 072: Hoya and Echeveria

What is etiolation? Then Leah tells us about a genus of plants that includes your grandma’s classic wax plant. Steve asks about Toby, Rosy and Spike and also an 18th century expedition in Mexico.

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episode 071: Jacaranda and Black Locust
Steve Ellington Steve Ellington

episode 071: Jacaranda and Black Locust

First, some new vocabulary: abscission. Then, Angel talks about a tree that leaves a beautiful mess. Steve shares about a different tree with all the wrong names and also the war of 1812.

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