PlantStories: The Modern, the old, and the crazy in between! (Mini)

Welcome to our podcast, PlantStories!  We are excited to share some of the fascinating stories about plants we have learned with you.  Give this intro a listen to let us give you a little insight into why we are starting this podcast, why we like plants in the first place, and what we are going to be talking about in the future!

Also forgive our audio mistakes!  We definitely learned a lot from this first mini episode and they get considerably better as time goes on, I promise!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In this episode we discuss some of the history of how we began to cultivate plants in our home, setting the stage for the kinds of plants we tend to have in our home now and why we use them. 

I'm not super great at my ancient names pronunciation, but thanks to Krista the audio is much better in this episode.  Thank you Krista!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

I have to tell you this episode was made with a lot of difficulty.  I spilled a whole lot of hot tea on myself.  I wrote all my notes on tiny pieces of paper I somehow had to scramble together.  But even crazier is the ridiculous story of how orchids came to be in our homes today.  They are the must have, elegant, sophisticated houseplant and we are talking today about how that came to be.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

On today's episode we are going to talk about Bromeliads, another houseplant that is well known for its ease of care, bright colors, and beautiful tropical foliage.  Join us as we give you a little bit of insight into these practically prehistoric plants and a little bit of their history with us, the human race.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In this episode, we discuss succulents, where they come from, what makes them special, why they're so popular, and some cool succulents that have had an impact on the world we live in today.

We talk a lot about aloe vera, a plant with a great medicinal history, and the baobab tree, one of the coolest biggest succulents out there.  We go over a little bit about the different kinds of succulents and some rare varieties, both in the world and some cool ones you can get for your own home.
Thanks for listening!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

This week PlantStories is back, with a short episode on one of the world's most flashy houseplants; Begonias!  Here we talk about some of their popular uses and meanings, where they all come from and some interesting facts from history that make these plants an intriguing part of our houseplant collection. 

Begonias have a few different types that we mention and we go into what some of those type mean and how that makes their care different.  We also talk about some of the edible (yes edible!) aspects of the begonia plant and some of its other uses to the people of the world.  Remember not to ingest plants like this without consultation from experts!  We kept this one a little shorter for you, but stay tuned for our next episode on Ferns (which is bound to be a little bit longer).
Thanks for listening!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In today's episode, we are going to talk about Ferns!  They are one of the oldest plants on the planet, probably older than you think!  We'll highlight some of their history, where some of the most popular ones come from, and talk about some of the common varieties we see today.

From maidenhairs to resurrection ferns, there are a ton of interesting ferns spread across the world today!  They're ancient, delicate, and exotic; something we've used in movies and media as a key to imagining what landscapes of the past look like.  We also use them as food and medicine, and they make beautiful interesting houseplants.  We talk about just how old these plants are and some of the ones that still influence us today.

Thanks for listening!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In this episode we discuss some cool pileas and peperomias, where they come from, what kinds of houseplants fall into this category and what else they're related to. 

These guys come in a whole bunch of varieties and are super cool plants!  Some of my absolute favorite are baby tears (simply precious) and the chinese money plant.  Join us as we discuss these and some others (peperomias are related to black pepper???) on today's episode of PlantStories.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Hello Everyone!  Today we are discussing the notorious plant Atropa Belladonna, as the first plant in our dangerous plant series.  Known for it's poisonous qualities, we discuss some of it's habits as a plant, some important stuff you might want to know about it, and some of its references in popular culture.

It's a crazy plant, known to be dangerous just from the touch, not to mention deadly when ingested.  It's one of those classic poisons we may have heard of but don't know everything about.  It's especially sneaky in that you can develop a resistance to it and can be eaten by many types of livestock with no effect (but not dogs and cats, just to be clear) and so has fooled people for centuries.  Join us as we discuss the mysterious and serious Atropa Belladonna.

In our new series we are now recording remotely, so please excuse any difference in sound quality as we navigate these difficult times!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In today's episode, we talk about the mandrake plant otherwise known as Mandragora Officinarium.  It's a plant with a complex history that may even have more lore surrounding it than poison.

While we do know this plant has been known to cause hallucinations and is considered dangerously poisonous, it's probably most popularly known for it's roots resemblance to the human form.  For centuries it's embodied a symbol of fertility and renewal in both lore and popular culture.  It has mystified and interested humans for centuries from the Bible to Harry Potter.  Join us as we dive into some of the complexities and myths about the mandrake plant.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In this episode, we talk about Poison and Water Hemlock.  These two very deadly plants are well known for being both sneaky and poisonous.  They're even responsible for some famous deaths!  Listen as we compare them and talk about some of their effects on the body.

Water Hemlock is the world's most wanted deadly plant!  Poison Hemlock killed Socrates!  These guys are some of the most well known poisonous plants in the world and that is definitely the most interesting thing about them.  Known for looking suspiciously like other plants, the alkaloids in these plants are crazy dangerous.  Listen to us discuss some of the effects of this plant and how we know them in today's episode of PlantStories.

Also sorry if the birds are a little loud in the background!  Now that we're recording during the day they are a little more active!  Thanks for listening.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

This Monday we discuss the Monkshood family of plants, a group of poisonous plant well known for their beautiful flowers and also their poison abilities.  It has a pretty solid place in our mythology and is even one of the main plants used in Chinese Medicine.

Popular as one of the first plants to exist in cultivation purely for its beauty, and historically used as a way to kill wolves and other large beasts, Monkshood has been known as one of the most poisonous plants that exist!  Everything from its leaves to its roots are poisonous and only small amount can cause death.  Join us as we talk about where this plant comes from, some of the different varieties, and how this dangerous plant became so well known!

I had some difficulty hearing because of my internet connection in this one, so excuse any of my interruptions of poor Krista.  Also I definitely butcher a lot of these names, my bad guys.  Props to Krista our editor!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In this weeks episode, we are going to highlight Oleander.  It's a beautiful plant with very poisonous qualities, known to have been poisoning people for ages.  Come listen with us as we talk about some of its uses and mentions throughout our history.

It's incredibly likely you've seen this plant, as it is now cultivated all over the world as a beautiful hardy shrub.  Thought to have originated in the Middle East, it is now known all over the world for its pink, red, yellow, and white flowers.  However, its also quite a poisonous plant.  It's uses from beautiful art to tragic suicides are what makes this plant's history within our culture an interesting one.  Join us as we try to take you through some of what makes Oleander unique.

Thanks again for all your support!  If you have an instagram, we encourage you to follow us there as well at PlantStoriesPodcast.  And shout out to Krista for being a great editor as I continue to navigate my internet struggles!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

This week, we're talking about the Castor Bean plant.  It's a well known ornamental plant and contrary to some of the other plants that we've talked about so far only the seeds or "beans" contain any poison.  Join us as we talk about some of the cool and interesting facts about this plant!

Castor Beans might contain poison but everyone also knows about Castor Oil, which is not poisonous and often used as a home remedy.  Much like you might have already thought, Castor Oil does still come from the Castor Bean and has a ton of well known uses.  In fact, it may have just as many uses as it does attempts to kill with the poison known to be easily extracted from the beans, ricin.  This plant has a rich history in our lives, so give this a listen if you'd like to learn about it!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

The Coca Plant is most well known for one thing: Cocaine.  But it's history as a medicinal and beneficial plant for many people in South America, might hint to a different set of uses.  Join us as we talk about the Coca Plant and it's use throughout our history as an upper and a bargaining chip.

For almost 3000 years, the native people of South America have used this plant as away to stave off altitude sickness and cure a variety of ailments via traditional medicine.  In fact, it wasn't until the mid to late 1800s that cocaine was extracted from the plant and distributed to the Western World as part of a miracle tonic.  Ever wonder about the story of Coca-Cola after all those rumors of it containing cocaine?  We hope you'll enjoy our conversation about the story of the Coca Plant including both what we do and don't know about it and how it has made a big impact on the world.

Thanks again to Krista for all of her editing work!  Be sure to like our Facebook page (PlantStories) and our Instagram (PlantStoriesPodcast)!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In this episode we are talking about the Opium Poppy, the most dangerous plant and most successful painkiller in a whole host of beautiful poppy flowers.  Join us as we learn about the plant that started wars and had scores of tragedy that might have possibly outweighed it's many benefits.

Really it was a plant that took over the world by storm, and its pain killing powers continue to go unmatched.  It has a dangerous history of war and addiction, even today effecting the lives of thousands.  Since its initial uses as a home remedy for pain, and now into its many synthesized forms, this is the plant we just can't seem to shake because it's so good at what it does.  While most of it's history is pretty well documented, we hope you learn something and are able to enjoy listening to this week's episode about the Opium Poppy.

Thanks again to Krista for all of her editing work!  Be sure to like our Facebook page (PlantStories) and our Instagram (PlantStoriesPodcast)!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

This week we talk about the Ephedra plant, which is both thought to be one of the oldest plants cultivated for medicine and the plant which ephedrine is derived from.  Join us as we take a look at this plant, it's uses, and effects on the world.

With origins in some of the driest regions of the world, it seems quite strange that Ephedra has risen to fame as one of the most commonly used medicines in the world.  It is another plant that was considered a staple in Chinese Traditional Medicine and has since come to be the primary ingredient in medicine that treat respiratory illnesses.  It also has some more unfortunate uses as well, being that plant that methamphetamine are derived from, a compound that was made just before World War Two.  We hope you'll give this episode a listen, and join us as we see the impact that Ephdera has had on the world in this episode of PlantStories.

Also we did manage the audio so I could actually hear Krista!  She's amazing at her audio job :)

If you are enjoying our podcast please like us on Instagram and Facebook page at PlantStoriesPodcast!
Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Ever wonder what kind of plants pack a punch?  In today's episode we talk about a few plants that have explosive tendencies including the Sandbox Tree and Dwarf Mistletoe.  They're certainly nothing to wag a finger at!  And I wouldn't suggest it because you know... explosions.

Just when can you expect an explosive plant to show up in your life?  Well some of the most well known ones might surprise you.  The Squirting Cucumber pops off when ripe... shooting seeds through the air directly to their destination.  The Sandbox tree has exploding fruit, and a few other issues.  The Rubber Tree, actually a cousin of the Sandbox tree, is known to have exploding fruit as well.  And Dwarf Mistletoe is a trees worst nightmare.  Join us as we talk about these plants and some of their interesting facts on PlantStories!

If you haven't already, please don't forget to tell your friends about us and follow/share us on Instagram and Facebook at PlantStoriesPodcast!

Thanks again to Krista for her great editing!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Episode is Live

Published: Jun. 01, 2020 @12PM Edit

Unpublish

Add a Transcript

Get episode better indexed by search engines.

Add Chapter Markers

Listeners can tap through & see what’s coming up.

Promote this Episode

Create a Video Soundbite

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

Email Link to Episode

Direct Link to MP3

Embed this ONE Episode

What does the most dangerous tree in the world look like?  Pretty attractive actually.  But that's probably why it's so dangerous.  Join us this week as we talk about the Manchineel Tree, one of the most dangerous trees in the world.

You're sitting in a tropical paradise, and you look over and see a cute little apple on the ground.  Intrigued and curious about the fruit, you pick it up and take a bite.  Little did you know as you bit into the sweet delicious fruit, that you're about to experience a world of pain.  The Manchineel tree is dangerous from root to tip, fruit included.  Join us as we talk about where this tree grows, how its been used, who it's helped, and who it's hurt.

Thanks again Krista for all you editing skills!  (I still had a little bit of issue hearing the last time, but we're doing our best!  Soon we'll be able to record in the same room again I hope!)

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Have you ever heard a rumor about the danger of a food you eat all the time?  Today we are going to talk about some common foods that have dangerous qualities if not consumed properly. 

Sometimes the foods we eat all the time feel so safe, that we don't even know they have dangerous properties.  Today, we often have policies and guards in place to ensure that the food we buy from stores are safe and healthy.  But there are quite a few foods that at the very least can make you sick, if not resulting in more serious consequences.  In this episode we talk about Potatoes, Elderberries, Cashews, Red Kidney Beans, Corn, and Rhubarb, all of which have some dangerous properties than can result in harm to the regular human.  Join as we discover some important prep tips to these foods and talk about how they've effected us over time.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Hyacinth plants are so beautiful aren't they?  So it's surprising to find out that water hyacinths are actually one of the world's most invasive plants!  Join us as we dive into this plant's incredible ability to grab all the attention wherever it goes.

Water Hyacinth is a beautiful plant native to the Amazon and well known as an easy plant for water gardeners.  But this plant hides some massively destructive capabilities beneath it's attractive flowers and foliage.  Since it's beauty became more wildly discovered in the 1880s, water hyacinth has made its way around the world.  And I mean made it's way.  From Asia to Africa and back to the America's this plant has invaded ponds, lakes and rivers.  With it's ability to multiply quickly, it manages to almost create islands of its own that damage everything within it's path if left unchecked.  Listen to today's podcast to learn the details of just how and why this plant has become one of the most invasive plants on earth.

Thanks again to Krista for her editing powers!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In the United States, Kudzu is a well known invasive plant.  Often known to be especially prevalent in the south, it is known to be particularly difficult and blankets entire areas.  But how did it get here and where did it come from? 

Coming from humble origins in areas of China and Japan, it's a bit of a surprise that this plant has become such a nuisance to us. The plant has medical uses and can be eaten in a variety of ways.  It's known for beautiful purple fragrant flowers as well, and for as many people who complain about it, there are just as many who love it's smell.  Join us today as we talk about how this plant got here, our uses for it, and why Kudzu might have just joined us in the right place at the right time.

Thanks so much for following us, and I'm so sorry we're late on posting this!  We hope you enjoy this week's episode.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Cogon Grass looks relatively harmless, sometimes even pretty.  But it hides a history of murderous and invasive habits.

Another plant introduced in an attempt to curb erosion, this plant's most dangerous trait is the fact that it can set entire hillsides on fire.  It can grow quickly and makes quick work of other plants by making difficult for them to survive at best, and burning them to a crisp at worst!  Come and listen to us talk about this interesting and terrifying plant, Cogon Grass.

Thanks again to Krista for her editing work!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Purple Loosestrife appears to be a beautiful flower, part of a group of popular loosestrife plants.  But this plant's ability to create a massive amount of seeds in one season, gives it the ability to quickly spread far and wide.  Join us for the first episode of our double feature this Monday, Purple Loosestrife!

Purple Loosestrife was initially brought to the United States by accident, and it's pretty pointed tapers of purple flowers made it seem harmless.  But this plant can take over wetland areas, and is considered a noxious weed in many parts of the United States and Canada.  Since then we've been trying to figure out how to use it and how to get rid of it.  While some are still fooled into planting it into their home gardens, many efforts had been made to try and eliminate the Purple Loosestrife.

Thanks again to Krista, our excellent editor!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

You've probably heard the name English Ivy if you're interested in plants, and you've definitely seen it.  English Ivy has long been a part of Western History, and is a quintessential symbol of nature.  Join us as we talk about English Ivy, where it comes from, and it's surprisingly invasive habits in the United States in the second episode of this week's double feature.

English Ivy was known to the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, often used symbolically to represent their gods of immortality... and wine.  Since then, we've used it as a symbol for everything from wineries to universities, in part because of it's perseverance and strength as a plant.  It is this same quality that can make this plant dangerous unchecked in the wild.  It can blanket large fields, and take down large trees and structures if no natural predators or human intervention stops it.  English ivy is a symbol of nature, because even in it's simplicity it never ceases to amaze us.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

There are a lot of different places in the world where you've possibly seen a Norway Maple.  It's a tree capable of spreading itself far and wide even it's home territory.  Join us this week as we talk about this common plant with invasive traits.

Known to stretch as far as Norway to Turkey in Europe, the Norway Maple was actually brought over quite early in the history of North America.  In most places, it is a popular ornamental tree with it's beautiful Crimson leaves that adorn neighborhoods and parks come fall.  But this tree also has a sneaky way of invading forests and snuffing out light for other plants.  Learn more about these traits and this plants history with us as we talk about the Norway Maple.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

With cute tiny flowers and berries as cute as a button, the Shoebutton Ardisia is the best definitely in the running for cutest plant on our invasive plant list.  But just what makes this cute plant such a pest?  Join us and find out, on this episode of PlantStories.

Like many plants, this plant began as an ornamental that we valued for it's beautiful cute flowers and tiny button berries.  For a long time going unnoticed, more recently in 2020 we've noticed some of it's more invasive habits as it spreads throughout the Florida landscape and marshes.  While this plant hails from South East Asia, it looks suspiciously similar to other plants making it difficult to identify.  It also has some other traits that make it easy to hide.  While some plants we've known to be invasive for years, this plant is relatively recent to come on our radar as a potential invader.  Come take a listen to the story of the ShoeButton Ardisia.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Wisteria is a plant that can create one of the most beautiful types of atmospheres on Earth.  Known for it's beautiful draping flowers, the are often added to archways and trellises to add a beautiful scent and draping beauty to a yard or garden.  But that majesty can sometimes also be quite a nuisance.  Join us today as we talk about Wisteria!

Some people don't know that there are actually a few types of Wisteria, including one native to North America.  However, it is the Japanese and Chinese varieties that are more desired because of their solid viney structure.  It has the power to easily and quickly climb structures without much trouble which can be a positive or negative thing.  Still no one can deny it's sweet fragrant blossoms enrichment of our lives and surrounding.  Join us this week while we discuss the Wisteria plant!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In this episode of PlantStories, we talk about the cute plant Japanese Honeysuckle.  It's another woody vine that has some invasive fast growing tendencies, but also is a fan favorite for people to plant in their yard.  Join us as we talk about this week's invasive plant, the Japanese Honeysuckle in our Invasive Plants season finale.

Plants originating in Asia definitely seem to captivate us, but like most others the Japanese Honeysuckle can really overtake native plants and habitats.  Almost like a weird combo of Wisteria and Kudzu, Japanese Honeysuckle can girdle and crowd out other plants with ease.  It's a real shame because of it's tasty honeysuckle flowers and cute leaves that make it such an attractive plant.  We're going to talk about a little bit of this plant's history and just how important it's been to Asian medicine, possibly giving us some insight in how this plant could be good for us in the future.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

In this new Season, we're focusing on the herbs we love to use in common every life (that we don't eat).  This week we talk about White Sage, by far one of the most popular spiritual herb making it's rounds on Instagram right now.  Lend us your ear as we discuss White Sage, and it's history rooted in Native American culture, current pop culture, and cultural appropriation.

White Sage is an incredible plant.  Known for it's silvery green "hairy" leaves, that feels soft, earthy, and welcoming.  It's a plant with a huge amount of history and cultural importance to Native Americans because of it's native habitat in the American Southwest.  And more recently, this plant has begun to appear across social media platforms and in more forms than ever.  But just what exactly is the importance of this plant?  What can it do for us, and why might you be appropriating it?  Join us this week as we discuss White Sage.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Today's episode features some interesting information on Palo Santo, the wood of a tree from areas of Central and South America known for it's alluring citrus, mint, wood scent.  Join us this week for a look into this interesting plant with a rich history in an ancient history.

Many people burn Palo Santo in a similar way to White Sage, in that they use it to purify a space.  But many people don't know it's history and where it comes from.  Only harvestable from naturally dead wood in the dry tropical forests of these areas and full of ritual meaning dating back to the Incan empire, this tree is an intriguing addition to our season on common herbs. 

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

I know you've heard of this one, lavender is probably one of the most common names among household herbs!  And maybe it's because of this that lavender has soooo much to unpack.  Join us this week as we discuss the history and uses of lavender.

The history of lavender goes back at least 2000 years, and has often had a place in the world of common herbs.  Favored by many popular people and providing quite a few uses as a home remedy for times of stress, its no surprise that it was held in high regards all the way back to Ancient Greece and Rome.  Maybe you will even find some new uses for it on this week's episode!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Eucalyptus is one of the most marketable plants in the myrtle family, and for good reason.  It smells amazing, and even as a dried plant lasts a long time.  But did you know there are at least 660 species of Eucalyptus?  Only a handful of which you've probably even heard of?  Join us on today's episode of PlantStories where we discuss Eucalyptus and it's many forms!

Eucalyptus is one of the oldest plants around.  It's even thought to have been on one of Earth's original supercontinents!  It's primed for survival in tough environments, and that probably why it's perfect as part of Australia's wildlife.  It's uses range from timber, to medicine, to floral arrangements, and it comes in a pretty interesting range of colors for an evergreen plant.  There's lots to talk about when it come to Eucalyptus, so I hope you'll join us for today's episode!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

It's that special time of year... Spooky Time!  In today's episode, we feature Halloween and it's history going from a old agricultural festival into the Americanized Halloween we know and love today.  Join us as we talk about the history of the Holiday, from spooky times to pumpkins!

Do you know the story of Stingy Jack?  Where did the name Halloween come from?  Why did Halloween come to America?  These are some questions I try to answer in today's episode about Halloween.  From the beginning origins of the Samhain, to trick or treating, to the carving of pumpkins we talk about what exactly some of the origins of today's practices come from and why this fall holiday has a heavy association with the Supernatural.  Special thanks to the book Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night by Nicholas Rogers which gave me a lot of ideas about what to look further into to give a well rounded view of the holiday!  And also Krista who added adaquate spooky music throughout the episode.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Sandalwood is probably one of the most common scents in the perfume world, known for it's woody smell.  So what is the deal with Sandalwood, and why is it so prized?  Today we are going to talk about what exactly Sandalwood is and why its one of the most popular scents we use in all kinds of products.

Sandalwood has been around for quite a long time.  A semi-parasitic tree, its slow growing but has some incredible properties.  Especially important to cultures of Asia and the Middle East, it has cemented itself as useful for humans for about 4000 years.  Which makes sense because even though it is believed to have originated in Australia, it somehow managed to spread itself in a lot of areas of Southeast Asia including some of the Pacific Islands.  Even now its scent is known to be unmatched, in some cases the oil's smell lasting for decades.  Come join us for this quick informational jaunt into the history of Sandalwood.

 Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

If you've participated in any kind of aromatherapy you've probably heard the name Tea Tree thrown around quite a bit.  Where does the name Tea Tree come from and what exactly are the properties associated with it?  Today we explore some of these questions.

Tea tree, another myrtle with incredible properties, has many many uses in our life.  From cleaning to colds, tea tree is well known as a multi-faceted plant with a pretty incredible list of uses.  Native to Australia, the discovery of its uses can be traced back to the native people's of Australia who had been using it for centuries.  It's antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties even helped us during World War II.  Let's talk about it!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Ah, yes.  We have finally arrived at one of my favorite subjects Tea.  With an incredibly rich history, tea is a famous beverage from across the world that seems to be common in vernacular of many parts of the world.  So just how did this beverage get it's start?  And where does it come from?

Come and listen to me lecture for a full hour about Tea.  From it's beginnings in China, to it's current form in many of the different countries throughout the world, we will talk about how, who, and why different cultures have made tea a part of their own drink profiles.  We'll also discuss some of the different types of tea, what makes them different and where some of the most famous teas are grown.  Enjoy!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Maybe the name Calendula sounds familiar to you, but you can't quite place it?  It's a common herb used to help soothe the skin, but we've been using it for quite a long time!  Join us as we talk about the history of Calendula, a plant that's sunny disposition is sure to brighten your day!

Known for it's uncanny sense of time, the Calendula flower is a plant that produces many bright and cheerful flowers.  We've used in countless ways over the thousands of years we've known about it's existence, including to add spice to foods and heal our wounds.  Some people even think looking at the flower can be beneficial to ones health!  It's a staple in some more holistic health practices.  Its especially useful for skin conditions... pretty much all of them.  Join us as we talk about this cheery helpful plant!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Another season finale is upon us.  Echinacea has a pretty short history, and is an herb that grows exclusively in North America.  Most of it's history of use resides with Native Americans and so today we are going to talk about that history and some of the ways this plant was used as a multipurpose medicinal herb!

Echinacea has a crazy amount of useful medicinal properties, and you've probably heard of it as a remedy for some of the symptoms of the common cold.  It turns out that this is one of the few plants we have were it is pretty common for the entire plant to be used.  So from flowers to leaves this flower is both useful and profitable.  Join us as we learn about this plant and all it has to offer!

Side note: I was wrong and Krista was right. Angustifollia actually means "narrow leaf" (I must have been thinking of something else) and pallida just means pale (what a disappointing search that was).  But purpurea does just mean purple.  So now you know!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

We're getting our cozy winter on, while we talk about the popular winter holiday drink Eggnog.  Turns out it has nothing to do with Yule and is pretty darn American (even if there are some European origins in there).  Join us as we discuss some of the wild history of Eggnog and the alcohol and plants associated with it!

Eggnog... it's eggs.... and alcohol?  One of those love it or hate it beverages, Eggnog's origins come from a non alcoholic beverage made by Monks.  On this episode we talk about why we chose the alcohol we do for Eggnog, where the drink comes from, and give a little synopsis of some of the plants associated with creating this drink (which we will go into more detail about later).  Look out for our next episode on Champagne, which is also a holiday themed episode for New Years.  Hope you're drinking up on these cold winter days!

On our second Holiday Special of this winter season, join us me as I butcher a bunch of French words trying to educate everyone about Champagne, one of the fanciest wines.

Okay, I'm pretty sure most of us know that Champagne comes from the province of Champagne in France.  But do you know anything about Champagne?  Is it famous for anything other than wine?  And what makes Champagne so special anyway?  Today we are going to look into some of these questions, and answer a few you probably didn't have.  So pour a glass, and say a Cheers for me while we talk about one of the fanciest wines you can buy almost anywhere. 

Happy New Year!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Even if you're not an alcohol drinker, you've probably encountered beer because of its permeating presence in many cultures.  It's another one of the top drinks that we consume and there are a ton of different varieties around the world.  Join us as we explore some of the history of beer and the plants involved with it. 

Beer is one of the oldest human made concoctions, and has gone through quite a few transformations in it's time in the human consciousness.  The cereal grains used to make beer malt are some of the oldest in the game and which were used and why vary depending on where you come from.  In America, beer has its own history as well spanning before and after prohibition.  You might surprised to know that Hops wasn't always the primary floral ingredient in beer like it is today.  There's a lot to know about beer, and we hope you'll join us as we talk about it this week!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

For this weeks riveting episode of our Alcohol series, we explore just a little bit of the expansive world of Whiskey.  It's been around for a long time, and one of the more popular beverages from the birth of America (among many other things).   Come listen to me say the word whiskey in a bunch of ridiculous ways on today's episode of PlantStories!


Whiskey is a distilled beverage that is made in many parts of the world.  Coming from a similar base as beer but with a much different taste and alcohol content, it's quite an interesting example of how the same ingredients put through a different process can become something totally unique.  Beginning with a history in some parts of Ireland and Scotland (the two groups would continue to argue throughout the ages as to who was the inventor) the beverage eventually spread far and wide becoming one of America's signature drinks.  Today we're going to talk about this drink's history, some of the plants involved, and the types of whiskey you're likely to run into today.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Brrrrrrandy, you're a fine drink!  What a good time you will be!  A spirit made in many different parts of the world, brandy is another distilled form of alcohol that was popularized in Europe but has probably been around almost as long as distilling.  Join us as we dig into this episode on what constitues as a Brandy and the different kinds you might find throughout the world.

Brandy made from wine?  Brandy made from Apples?  Brandy made from grapes?  What's the difference?  Turns out not as much as you might think based on the variety of names and tastes.  We're going to talk a little bit about why brandy came about and all the different things its made from on this episode.  Unsuprisingly, taxes are involved.  We're also gonna dive into just what brandy comes from what places.  The french aren't the only ones with good alcohol!  Thanks again for joininig us on this week's episode of PlantStories.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Most people who've sampled Tequila or Mezcal probably has an inkling that it comes from the Agave plant.  But just what is the agave plant, and how did we get from a large succulent to a clear strong alcohol?  Come party with us this week, as we talk about Tequila and Mezcal!

For thousands of years, people have been using the Agave plant as a raw ingredient in it's native areas of Central America.  In fact, a drink was made from it that had such high importance there was not one, but two, gods that were dedicated to it.  There's much dispute as to exactly how tequila came about, but soon it was one of the most popular spirits in the area.  Now you can find a variety of tequilas and mezcals from their respective areas, and enjoy all different kinds.  We hope you enjoy today's episode as we try to take a deeper look into the origins of this plant, and just how much the drinks related to it have changed over many years!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Oh ho, oh ho, a pirate's life for me!  Take a seat and swig a drink as we talk about the history of the sugarcane and how it pertains to the creation of Rum, one of the finest (and darkest) beverages around.

*It now occurs to me that it's supposed to be Yo Ho... Don't judge me!!*

When sugarcane turned out to produce those beautiful refined sugar crystals, who knew there could be other successful compounds on it's horizon?  Easy to reproduce, and quick to grow it changed the way we cook and eat forever.  But however much one might love sugar and rum, no one can deny it's horrific associations with slavery and colonialism.  Need for this plant, which only increase when Rum began to pick up popularity, spurred on one of our darker points of history.  So what exactly happened that made rum the talk of the town and subsequently part of a ruthless trade?  And what does it have to do with sailors?  Come listen to us talk about Rum today on PlantStories.


Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Ever had questions about the beverage referred to as "The Green Fairy"?  The truth is absinthe has quite an exciting history, tied up in war, culture, and murder.  So join us this week as we take a dive into absinthe.

For many people, the idea of Absinthe is probably only a distant memory still shrouded with myth.  Banned in the US until 2007, this green beverage made from the ever popular garden plant wormwood has made a resurgence in more recent times.  While wormwood might be quite unpleasant to drink completely on its own, it's long been known for its medical properties and was often mixed with alcohol or other substances in order to enhance the taste.  So when France needed another beverage to step up it's alcohol game, Absinthe was there to fill the hole.  Join us today as we take a dive into where exactly Absinthe originates, what brought it into high class fame, and where we stand with Absinthe today.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Gin is an especially botanical beverage, it's major selling point boasting the use of Juniper to make for a tasty beverage.  So where did it come from, and how did the famous Gin and Tonic come about?  Join us today as we talk about Gin, a European beverage infused with the taste of a strange conifer.

Juniper berries aren't really berries.  Shocking I know.  So what are they, and why do we use them in a beverage?  Well their history makes them not as suprising a choice as you would think.  And much like absinthe, came about relatively recently in the history of alcohol.  Join us this week as we talk about a story of the Dutch, the British, and a whole lotta juniper, to get our hands dirty in the story about Gin.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Ah, vodka.  Clearly the most malable and, I might argue, widely used distilled liquor.  Born in Eastern Europe, it has spread the world to become one of the most desirable drinks around.  But really, at what cost?  Join us today as we figure out just what vodka's been doing in it's international travels.

Vodka is world renouned for it's ability to make a fabulous cocktail, be made cheaply and inexpensively, and most importantly it's ability to be made by potatoes.  For some it's a sipping drink and for others, it makes a good Cosmo.  While it's more precise origins are blurred, the drink has been around for centuries, making good use of whatever was around to ensure everybody is getting drunk.  For better or for worse.  Join us today as we take a stroll through the times, with Vodka, Russia's water.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Maybe you've had some of that strong sake at your local Japanese restaurant.  Maybe you weren't a huge fan.  But like many other alcohols we've covered, there's so much more to sake than that.  It's been around for almost as long as rice and has a pretty intriuiging path to creation.  Come have a drink with us as we talk about sake.

Sake is primarily made from rice, which is one of the most prevelant plant based foods on the planet.  Like how the people of Asia were able to adapt the rice to grow in some less than hospitable monsoon lands, they were also able to find an interesting way to turn it into an alcoholic beverage.  It's gone through the hands of the government, the religious, and the people to become an important drink throughout Japan.  It is comparable to wine in it's variety of taste, each a little different depending on the grain, polish, and growth location of the rice.  There's a lot to learn about this drink from the East!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

You might think that you know everything about wine.  But if our alcohol season has taught me anything, it's that nothing is like I remember it.  Made from a plant who's beginnings are much older than you might imagine, wine is a beverage we've been indulging in for thousands of years.  Join us this week as we talk about wine in our season finale!

Wine is well known for it's associating with beautiful grape vines and the French.  But did you know that we can trace grapes back millions of years?  And our love affair with them, while somewhat unknown, started thousands of years ago possibly around the same time we started making pottery.  Since then empires have spread it across the world and today it is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks from the Americas, the China, to everywhere in between.  Join us as we discuss some of the origins of wine and the grape, a beautiful varied plant that gives us this wonderful gift.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Welcome to our latest season of PlantStories, Garden Flowers!  In an effort to reconnect with Spring, we're looking at some of the world's most famous garden flowers and what they mean to us.  Up first is the Rose.  The most classic of all flowers, it's been with us longer than most people can remember and has stood the test of time when it comes to representing flowers everywhere.

So just how old is the rose?  We think you'd be suprised.  It's roots go straight back to our History of Houseplants episode (which if you haven't listened to already is definately worth your time), and it's probably one of the oldest ornamental plants we know of.  But beyond being beautiful, it has been the talk of everything from Greek myths to modern day poetry.  At one point they were even considered on par with money!  Come join us today as we learn about the flower that tinted our life beautiful.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Most people know about the Sea Anemone (how could you not if you've watched Finding Nemo), but they've gotten their name from the beautiful terrestrial Anemone.  Also known as the WindFlower, this is a flower that can open and close it's "petals".  Join us as we take a look at the beautiful bright anemone!

Anemones are known for their varied and amazing color variety.  Used in gardens and sold in florist shops, it's well known across the world for it's delicate beauty.  It's had a variety of meanings throughout the years but somehow hasn't waned in popularity.  It's name also comes from the same greek myth as the rose.  They're known for their ability to open and close to protect themselves from the elements when nessasary and sometimes were used as storm predictions.  Come listen to us today as we chat about anemones!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Dahlias are often revered for their great beauty.  With their tall stocks and shockingly beautiful flowers, they are well known for being a very popular wedding and garden flower.  Finding their exact history proves to be a little bit more of a challenge.

Initially hailing from Central America, the Dahlia was a popular flower for native populations of the area for many years.  Although it is difficult to decern it's exact origins, as the flower was not called Dahlias by native Central American populations, we do know that it was used both ornamentally and medicinally by these peoples for many years.  It was later one of the first plants brought back to Europe, and were bred to have many varities and colors that we now see on our shelves today.  We'll talk a little bit about this, some modern references to Dahlias, and dabble into their care on today's episode of Plantstories.

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

Allium is one of the more under rated garden flowers.  Great for yards with lots of grass and greenery, Allium can add a pop of color into any garden.  It's related to a plant that I personally love, Garlic!  Come join us today as we discuss Allium.

Allium is a super cute flower that often gets pushed to the side in favor of more typical plants.  All different and sizes and colors, this plant produces a round ball of flowers at the top of a long stalk that can make a great addition to any garden.  It's a plant that's family includes the famous garlic plant.  Come listen to us discuss a little bit of this plant's history and care!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

When you think of garden plants, one of the first plants that probably comes to mind is the Garden Pansy, a three toned flower that often adorns outdoor landscaping spaces and Lowes stores.  And you'd be right to think that, because this flower has been bred for years as a beautiful addition to many home gardens and the subject of many myths.  Come listen to us talk today about the Pansy.

Pansies have been a part of European conciousness for a long time.  Going all the way back to the Greeks and Romans, they are surrounded by myth and curiousity for their cute face like petals.  Their knowledge in cultural conciousness continued throughout many other European cultures and still are often used as a sign of spring.  Known for being a thoughtful plant, it's a common gift for it's cultural meanings and easy care.  There's a lot more to know than you probably think, so we hope you'll enjoy today's episode on the Pansy!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

A most famous flower hailing from Europe that is often used to represent a budding spring, Daffodils have been a staple decorative flower.  With little to no healing properties, it is somewhat surprising that this trumpet shaped bulb broke through the scene, but it's strength of will during cold seasons had made it a symbol of hope and prosperity.  Join us today as we discuss the daffodil.

Traveling around most of the European and even some of the Asian and African continents, the daffodil comes in a surprising amount of sizes and varieties.  It's probably most well known for it's official name that comes from the Greek myth about Narcissus.  Interesting how the Greeks have so much say in our flower culture!  Come sit with us as we talk about some of the more modern meanings of this beautiful flower, where it comes from, and why its still in our consciousness today!

Music Clips by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/