35.1: The mini recap: Exploring Plants

In this mini companion to Episode 35: Weird Plants, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia dive deeper into the plant kingdom with follow-ups, listener feedback, and live reactions from Blue Island’s Maifest festival. Joined previously by Molly from The Piper and the Plant, the hosts unpack strange and useful plants—from zombie apocalypse survival picks to unexpected plant biology quirks (yes, a man really had a pea plant grow in his lung). Plus: brussels sprouts bitterness gets a science correction, saguaro cactus timelines clarified, and the gang debates the merits of sticky weeds and pickle beer. It’s science, it’s fiction, and it’s science for weirdos.And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Want to support the show? Tell your friends. Follow us on social media, Discord, share the podcast, and let us know what topics you are excited about. And to see all the content (studio images and artwork) subscribe to the Rabbit Hole of Research newsletter!Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!Future Episodes & Events:Episode 36: Rewriting Ragnarok: Loki, Satire, and Chaos with Guest: Kurt BaumeisterEpisode 37-40: We explore the science and handwavium of the Marvel’s First Family: The Fantastic Four, with Special Guests to be announced!!Shownotes:Links, Resources, and Topics Mentioned in mini and/or full episode:Guest & Plant Shop Feature: Molly🌿 The Piper and the Plant Website📷 The Piper and the Plant on InstagramMaifest Businesses Featured🎨 Reflections with Kate – Crystal Trees, Art, and Classes☕ Gigawatt Coffee Roasters🍺 Maifest Event at Blue Island Beer CompanyScience & Fiction Connections in Episode:Brussels Sprouts Bitterness Reduction➤ In the 1990s, Dutch scientists isolated glucosinolates as the source of bitterness. Older varieties with lower levels were cross-bred with modern hybrids to create sweeter sprouts. Cooking method still affects bitterness perception.Can a Plant Grow Inside You?➤ Rare cases exist. Notably, a Massachusetts man inhaled a pea seed that sprouted in his lung. It’s possible via aspiration—not digestion. 75 Year Old Man Has Pea Plant Growing in LungCold-Hardy Succulents➤ Prickly pear cacti can survive sub-zero temperatures. All cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti. “Hens and chicks” are not the only cold-hardy types.Saguaro Cactus Flowering vs. Arm Development➤ Saguaros begin flowering around age 35. Arms emerge between ages 50–100 depending on climate and rainfall.Nicotine as a Plant Defense➤ Nicotine acts as a neurotoxin to many insects but can also harm beneficial pollinators like bees. Not a clean pest control method.Sticky Willy (Cleavers / Galium aparine)➤ Useful in herbalism for diuretic properties and vitamin C. Its hooked hairs help it cling to clothing, animals, and potentially confuse zombies.Plants in Zombie Apocalypse Scenarios➤ Public at Maifest provided a wide array of favorites and functional suggestions—from camouflage with grass, defensive hedgerows (e.g., kudzu), to medicinal herbs like dandelion and nettles.Zombie Plants & Pickling Logic➤ Theorized that acidification from pickling might neutralize zombified plant pathogens. Bonus: deep-frying might help too. Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe