Sporopollenin

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/