In this episode, we explore some of the most fascinating extinct plants in history, including one of the most legendary of them all: silphium.Silphium was a plant so valuable in the ancient world that it was said to be worth its weight in gold. Used in Roman cuisine, medicine, and trade, it became one of the most sought-after plants in history, until it disappeared completely.We discuss:What silphium was and why it was so valuableHow it was used in ancient RomeTheories on why it went extinctOther well-known plants that have been lost to historyWhat plant extinction can teach us todayFrom overharvesting to environmental change, the story of silphium is a powerful example of how even the most important plants aren’t immune to disappearing forever.The Growers Show Podcast explores plant history, ecology, and the relationship between humans and the natural world, including the stories of what we’ve lost along the way.

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most beautiful and underrated trees of early spring: the redbud.If you’ve ever noticed bright pink flowers popping up on trees before anything else has even started to leaf out, chances are you were looking at a redbud. These trees are often one of the very first signs that winter is ending and spring is finally arriving.We break down:Why redbud trees bloom so earlyThe unique way their flowers grow directly from the branches and trunkTheir role in native ecosystems across North AmericaThe history and cultural significance of redbudsWhy they might be one of the best ornamental trees you can plantWhether you’re into plant identification, native species, or just appreciate the moment spring starts to show itself, redbuds are hard to miss once you know what to look for.If you’ve been seeing these trees everywhere lately, now you know why.

In Part 3 of our trumpet flower series, we focus entirely on Datura and some of the most bizarre, chaotic, and unintentionally hilarious trip reports ever posted online.Drawing from public archives like Erowid, we read real user-submitted experiences and try to understand why this plant consistently produces ABSOLUTELY INSANE stories Datura has a long and complicated history in folklore, traditional medicine, and ritual use — but it is also one of the most dangerous and toxic psychoactive plants in the world.In this episode we:Break down why Datura causes such intense deliriumDiscuss its historical and cultural backgroundAnalyze why so many reports follow similar themesTry to find humor in situations that were… probably not funny at the timeImportant: Datura is highly toxic and can cause severe medical emergencies. This episode is for educational and documentary purposes only. We do not encourage experimentation or misuse.Our goal is to explore plant history, ethnobotany, and the strange ways humans interact with powerful plants — while keeping the conversation honest, responsible, and occasionally laughing at the absurdity of it all.If you enjoy plant history, chaotic internet archives, and deep dives into misunderstood species, Part 3 might be the wildest one yet.