Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't Podcast By Tony Santore cover art

Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't

Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't

By: Tony Santore
Listen for free

Prime Member Exclusive | $0.99/mo for 4 months

$8.99/mo thereafter—terms apply.
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.


Copyright Tony Santore Earth Sciences Natural History Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • Paleobotanical Origins of The Reflecting Pool Disaster

    Paleobotanical Origins of The Reflecting Pool Disaster
    Sep 16 2026
    In this episode we talk with Chuck Delwiche about the early evolution of land plants, photosynthetic bacteria, what Earth may have looked like 4 billion years ago, what some of the first land plants look like, why bioluminescent dinoflagellates (Pyrocystis) "light up", and the species of algae responsible for the reflecting pool disaster that nearly have the president an aneurysm over the summer.

    Chuck Delwiche is a professor of biology at University of Maryland who studies green algae, archaea, and the early evolution of plants.
    Show more Show less
    2 hrs and 8 mins
  • Corruption, Cronyism, & Destroying a National Park

    Corruption, Cronyism, & Destroying a National Park
    Aug 31 2026
    Laiken Jordahl is the national public lands advocate for the center for biological diversity. In this episode he tells us about the destruction of Big bend National Park for a pointless and unnecessary border wall and what efforts have been made to stop it.
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • Taos & Denver Rants

    Taos & Denver Rants
    Aug 25 2026
    Rants about Taos, Garden Design in the sba to j aisle, how to tell if a plant has massive tuberous roots, Peteria scoparia, a new species of Paronychia leucochthonicola, Texas Madrone in Denver, US intervention in Latin America, and more.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 22 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant
I can listen to every episode because they’re all so entertaining and educational. Top of the line information from someone that knows what they’re talking about and is also funny!

Love the constant sense of humor!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.