Branch Out

Wondering where we've been? We wrote a new book: What the Flora?

Wondering where we've been? We wrote a a new book! Get ready for a wild ride through the most shocking, inspiring and downright unbelievable stories about plant life in

Bonus episode: The Corpse Flower - a plant to die for

In this bonus episode of Branch Out, host Bec Davis chats to Jarryd Kelly, Curator Manager of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, about the highly-anticipated bloom of the C

From killers to healers: the powers of fungi

Australia has seen deadly cases of mushroom poisonings this past year, with some making world headlines. In this episode of Branch Out, Hannah Izzard chats to Professor B

How scientists are using AI to hunt down plastic

In this episode of Branch Out, we investigate the massive issue of plastic waste in our environment. You’ll hear from scientist Dr Denise Hardesty and business owner Mitc

Taxonomy - the benefits of naming nature

Roughly 70% of all Australian species of plants, animals, fungi and other organisms have yet to be discovered, named and classified. In this episode of Branch Out we’re

Stealing rare and exotic plants

Attention true crime junkies, you’re about to learn about one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in the botanical world… as we continue to uncover the global phenomenon of

Exposing the illegal plant trade

From a series of heists in Mexico, to law enforcement agents infiltrating a smuggling ring in South Korea... Get ready to explore the explosive illegal trade of succulent

Branch Out trailer

Curating plant-love at The Calyx

Go behind the scenes with Senior Horticulturist Terra-Nova Sadowski at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to discover what it takes to curate and care for the incredible dis

Fast Flora Facts: Machete-wielding plant

Discover how the creator of the machete-wielding philodendron turned this harmless houseplant into armed greenery in this 'fast flora facts' edition of Branch Out. Orde

Tree detective at the pub

Branch Out host Vanessa Fuchs went to the Pint of Science event at the Keg & Brew in Surry Hills, Sydney to hear an awesome presentation from Dr Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez

Fast Flora Facts: is loving nature in your dna?

An experiment in the 90's by two Russian artists revealed that people from various countries around the world all like the same kind of painting. Discover why and what th

Predicting seed germination under climate change

To help protect plant species from the impacts of climate change, scientists from the Australian Institute of Botanical Science and UNSW created a cutting-edge data frame

Fast Flora Facts: Famous friendship plant

Throughout human history, the gifting and trading of plants has been a way for people to connect. Discover the story behind the Instagram-famous 'friendship plant' that u

Saving orchids from extinction

Orchids are found on every continent, except Antarctica, growing everywhere from hot swamps to cold mountain tops. Unfortunately, a large proportion of Aussie native orch

Fast Flora Facts: Tulip mania

During the era of the Dutch golden age in 1637, it’s said that one tulip bulb could of bought you a beautiful house on the canal in Amsterdam. Discover how the obsession

Zero Waste Hacks

From the 'great pacific garbage patch' to 'wet wipe island' - pollution is out of control. But in 2021, Gary Moran went viral for not needing to put out his red council b

Fast Flora Facts: Forensic Botany

Microscopic hairs of a leaf clinging to a murder suspect's jacket is all a forensic botanist needs to crack the case. Discover how two high-profile kidnapping-murder case

Witchcraft revival & the power of plants

#WitchTok videos are clocking up billions of views. Discover why witchcraft is on the rise and the important role plants and nature have to play in its resurgence amongst

Fast Flora Facts: Photosynthesis

Learn how photosynthesis was uncovered by scientists, how this amazing set of biochemical reactions might help find aliens, and meet a cunning species of bacteria that's