Branch Out

When we hear 'pandemic' we immediately think of COVID-19. But there's a deadly plant disease pandemic called 'myrtle rust' tearing through Australia that arrived long before COVID-19. Discover the cutting-edge science that is our best bet for saving our plant species. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're in the middle of once-in-a-century pandemic and coming into peak flu-season in the southern hemisphere. Medicine is on our minds and surprisingly, many developed in the last century were derived from naturally occurring molecules found in plants, bacteria, and fungi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australia is a no doubt a sunburnt country and the unique landscape shares a long and important relationship with fire. But even the most fire-adapted plants were devastated by the intense summer bushfires. While new growth is emerging and cutting-edge science is saving species - there's still a long road to recovery for the flora that went up in flames. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plants are the source of so many amazing past and new inventions we need in our lives. Discover how scientists are utilising the waste material from banana plants and cashew nut shells to create more environmentally friendly products. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though Australia is new to the wine-making world stage it has produced really iconic drops and inventions such as cask wine and screw caps for bottles. But how did grape vines get here? Discover the art, history and science of wine-making and how it all started down under. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australian plants have been used by Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years and now people all over the world are finding a connection to country through cooking with bush foods. Unfortunately, some of these plants are endangered and scientists are collecting and banking seeds to protect their future both on our forks and in the wild. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Downs, a Principal Scientist in climate research, and Rachel Gallagher, a plant ecologist, delve into the pressing issue of climate change's impact on Australia's flora. They reveal that almost half of Australia's vegetation faces threats from rising temperatures by 2070. The discussion highlights the necessity of genetic diversity in plant species for resilience, as well as innovative conservation strategies. They also emphasize the role of urban vegetation in battling climate effects and share practical tips for sustainability in daily life.

The world's most painful stinging trees call Australia home. Explore this amazing example of plant defence as a range of scientists share their stinging experience and what they’re doing to protect the future of these surprisingly important rainforest plants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to pick Persoonias from emu poo as Branch Out features an episode from ABC’s dedicated nature program - Off Track. Persoonias are an endangered group of plants that need complex processes to germinate. Could the mystery lynchpin to save them be found in an emu's guts? Go Off Track and join Presenter Ann Jones to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Longer space missions and sustaining human life on other planets depends on space horticulture. So grab your spacesuit and get ready to lift off with NASA astronaut Dr Gregory Chamitoff and scientists from the Australian PlantBank and CSIRO to explore the future of plants in space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices