Orchid Delirium

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Most orchids have a symbiotic relationship with a fungus called macarrhizal fungi. It helps them get nutrients because their seeds lack endosperm which is something that allows seeds to get nutrients from the ground. So they rely on this fungus to help their seeds actually germinate. And this is what made them. very difficult to cultivate until people figured out this fungus thing.

This week: a non-fiction book that sometimes reads a lot like fiction, The Orchid Thief is only a little about the titular thief and a LOT about Florida and its history and its denizens. Plus, "orchidelirium," the part of the 19th century where the English aristocracy would just go wild for these bad boys.

Our theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.

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