Episode 268: The Death Flower

My guest this week is writer, broadcaster, nature observer, citizen scientist and champion of the outdoors, Kelly Brenner. This episode came about off the back of a listener suggestion and begins with a look at Lycoris radiata aka the Death Flower, and its place in nature and culture. This may seem an odd choice of subject for this festive time, but this is the last episode of 2023 and the nearest to the winter solstice, which heralds the death of the sun, so it somehow seemed fitting.    Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Overwintering fruit and veg pests   What we talk about   What intrigues Kelly about Lycoris radiata, and why she thinks it has garnered such dark symbolism throughout history   Nature, wildlife, and folklore – how they are seamlessly woven into Kelly's work   The origin story of Kelly's passion for plants, nature and folklore and how they naturally blend into her writing and explorations   How urban dwellers can maintain their connection with nature, and are there specific aspects of urban landscapes that come alive during these colder months?   The Sleuth Wood Show   Invertefest   Links   Kelly Brenner's website   Other episodes if you liked this one:   The Winter Garden   Camellias with Fiona Edmond   Support the podcast on Patreon