The Infinite Monkey Cage The Mighty Spud - Sandy Knapp, Glenn Bryan and Susan Calman
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Jul 30, 2025 Join botanist Sandy Knapp and geneticist Glenn Bryan as they unravel the fascinating world of potatoes. Discover how all supermarket potatoes belong to a single species and the exciting diversity of wild varieties in South America, which has Susan Calman planning her next adventure! They also dive into potato genetics, the quirky history of these tubers, and even spin a musical number using a potato keyboard. Prepare for a playful journey that mixes science with humor, celebrating the mighty spud in all its glory!
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Potato Tubers Are Stem Growths
- Potatoes are botanically tubers from underground stems called stolons, not roots.
- This explains their growth patterns and differences from root vegetables like sweet potatoes.
One Species Dominates Markets
- All common supermarket potatoes belong to one species: Solanum tuberosum.
- Yet, over 100 wild potato species exist with enormous diversity, especially in the Andes.
Thousand Potato Varieties in Andes
- In the Andes, a couple had over a thousand unique potato varieties on a rug, each with distinct local names.
- These potatoes have different uses ranging from soups to freeze-dried products called chunyo.