Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't
Tony Santore
Why do some plants grow where they do? How can geology cause new plant species to evolve? Why are some plants pollinated by flies, some by bats, some by birds, and others by bees? How does a plant evolve to look like a rock? How can destroying lawns soothe the soul? This is a show about plants and plant habitat through the lens of natural selection and ecology, with a side of neurotic ranting, light humor, occasional profanity, & the perpetual search for the filthiest taqueria bathroom.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 20, 2021 • 1h 50min
PLANT SYSTEMATICS with Michael Simpson
Michael Simpson is a Professor Emeritus of Botany who is the Author of one of the best textbooks available on the evolutionary history, grouping and Identification of plant species - Plant Systematics. Taxonomy, Evolution, & Diversity of Plants on Earth? What are phylogenetics? What is a "biogeography dungeon" and why is it fascinating as shit to be trapped inside? What causes one to go down a wormhole of obsession with the various forms that plants can take?
Jan 14, 2021 • 1h 52min
Geologist Robert Madden
Dr. Robert Madden is a geologist and teacher based out of Perth, Western Australia.
Jan 11, 2021 • 1h 29min
Evolution, Speciation and Child Labor
Rants on the wonders of plant evolution, ecotypes, speciation, and whether an awareness and fascination with such could have prevented some members of the mayonnaise militia from being radicalized. Plenty of book recommendations and other disjointed rants.
Dec 22, 2020 • 1h 26min
Talking Railroads & Mexico with Linda Niemann
Linda Niemann is an author, ex-railroader/brakeman and former English professor at Kennesaw State University. She is the author of the books Boomer, Railroad Voices, Railroad Noir and Cosas: Folk Art Travel in Mexico.
Dec 19, 2020 • 2h 1min
Blazing East to South Texas
Rants on Cactus Phylogeny, Teddy Bear Cholla, Neobuxbaumia Dungeons of Oaxaca, transporting plants in storage bins, over-crowded hiking/wilderness areas, how idiotic the word "natural" is, crazy cat ladies and cat colonies on ecologically-sensitive public lands, and how Great Basin National Park is declaring a war on Christmas by refusing to string lights up on Pinus longaeva, as heard through the voice of Jerry Woznowski.
Dec 10, 2020 • 1h 9min
Interview w/climatologist Daniel Swain
A fascinating and educational 68 minutes that breaks down the mechanisms of California's weather and where it might be headed in the future.
Dec 8, 2020 • 2h 4min
California Dystopia, Butano Cypress, Seed-Collection, Edibles & Trash Tvetc
Rants about California Dystopia, Proper Seed Collection, Drought, Butano Cypress (biogeography rant), etc
Nov 26, 2020 • 2h 25min
Underground Orchids, Australian Botany, Proteaceae Floral Morphology
A conversation with my friend the Professor and Author Dr. Peter Bernhardt about the floral morphology of many of Australia's incredible terrestrial orchids and members of the ancient angiosperm family, Proteaceae. Two hours of un-edited conversation about some the strangest plants in the Southern Hemisphere.
Nov 22, 2020 • 2h 38min
Texas Flora - A Conversation w/Michael Eason
A 2 hour conversation with Michael Eason about Texas Flora. Michael Eason is a botanist, author, photographer, and Texan.
Nov 16, 2020 • 1h 56min
Rhyolite, Fuckface!
From West Texas to the Mojave the entire Southwest is in a drought in mid November of 2020 oh, but that does not stop us from doing some vegetative botany and fucking around with the wonders of the volcanic rock known as rhyolite, builder of numerous desert mountains,you prick.
