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In this episode of Botanismi, we open the story of sporopollenin—one of the toughest substances ever made by living things. From ancient spores to family heirlooms, we explore how plants found a way to preserve their legacy across deep time. Written, recorded, and produced by Giacomo Bagni (@giaccoxxx) and Veronica Lugaro (@veronicalugaro_prie). Scientific content by Sole Calbi (@msole_calbi). Created as part of the Urban Bees project by Alle Ortiche (@alleortiche), supported by Fondazione Carige through the “+ Api. Oasi Fiorite per la Biodiversità” grant. Sound design by Giacomo Bagni and Veronica Lugaro. Intro/outro music: Jumbel by Blue Dot Sessions. Cover art: adapted from a photo courtesy of the British Library (10.Tab.40). Sounds: Dog barks in the distance by Garuda1982 — https://freesound.org/s/554600/Sunday Bells of church “Chiesa di Santa Maria” in Piana di Castiglione del Lago, Italy by j.tauscher — https://freesound.org/s/669568/Town or suburbs amb - spring, day by eric5335 — https://freesound.org/s/52740/Tape Recorder.wav by Pogotron — https://freesound.org/s/61075/Bibliography: https://www.quantamagazine.org/how-the-diamond-of-the-plant-world-helped-land-plants-evolve-20220719/

In this episode of Botanismi, we explore electroreception—the mysterious way insects detect electric fields. From the faint hum of wings to the pull of a flower, discover how bees navigate a world charged with signals we can’t see. Written, recorded, and produced by Giacomo Bagni (@giaccoxxx) and Veronica Lugaro (@veronicalugaro_prie). Scientific content by Sole Calbi (@msole_calbi). Created as part of the Urban Bees project by Alle Ortiche (@alleortiche), supported by Fondazione Carige through the “+ Api. Oasi Fiorite per la Biodiversità” grant. Sound design by Giacomo Bagni and Veronica Lugaro. Intro/outro music: Jumbel by Blue Dot Sessions. Cover art: adapted from a photo courtesy of the British Library (10.Tab.40). Sounds: Bee recorded individually | Margot by felix.blume — https://freesound.org/s/588463/ Bibliography: https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-hidden-world-of-electrostatic-ecology-20240930/

In this episode of Botanismi, we dive into the underwater meadows of Posidonia oceanica—the seagrass that returned to the sea, building vast habitats where countless marine species thrive. And we discover the surprising alliances it forges underground, echoing the same ancient partnerships that once shaped life on land. Written, recorded, and produced by Giacomo Bagni (@giaccoxxx) and Veronica Lugaro (@veronicalugaro_prie). Scientific content by Sole Calbi (@msole_calbi). Produced with the support of Alle Ortiche (@alleortiche). Sound design by Giacomo Bagni and Veronica Lugaro. Intro/outro music: Jumbel by Blue Dot Sessions. Cover art: adapted from a photo courtesy of the British Library (10.Tab.40). Bibliography: Vohník, M., Borovec, O., Župan, I., Vondrášek, D., Petrtýl, M., & Sudová, R. (2015). Anatomically and morphologically unique dark septate endophytic association in the roots of the Mediterranean endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Mycorrhiza (Vol. 25, Issue 8, pp. 663–672). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-015-0642-7