Botany Episodes

Bristlecone pines are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, surviving for thousands of years in some of the harshest environments imaginable. This episode pairs their extraordinary story and new threats to the trees with a reflection on resilience, asking what keeps people motivated to continue protecting the desert even when progress feels slow.

Mesquite, palo verde, and ironwood are often called the bean trees of the desert, providing food, shelter, and stability for countless other species. This episode explores the remarkable ecology of these legumes while also sharing how listeners can support independent desert journalism and conservation.

The western Joshua tree has become the center of one of California's most recognizable conservation battles. This episode explores the threats facing this iconic species, the debate over legal protections, and why the future of the Joshua tree is closely tied to the changing climate of the Mojave Desert.

Wildflowers are among the desert's greatest spectacles, but many native plants are facing mounting pressures from climate change, invasive species, and habitat loss. This episode explores the ecology of desert wildflowers, why superblooms happen, and what disappearing flowers can tell us about the health of desert ecosystems.

Cima Dome was once home to the world's largest Joshua tree forest—until the 2020 Dome Fire transformed the landscape. This episode tells the story of one of the Mojave Desert's most iconic places, the fire that changed it forever, and the surprising signs of renewal now emerging across the burned landscape. It's a story about resilience, ecological change, and hope.

Hello friends! Transcript of this episode is at 90milesfromneedles.com In this Season Zero short episode, Chris and Alicia discuss the commonly shared urban legend that Joshua trees are not really trees. This is a topic that has gotten on Chris's nerves before. Spoiler: They're trees. Chris cites a biologist on Twitter with a handy definition of tree. Here's the guy. Thanks, Tom. With regard to whether the trees are one or two species, or members of what family? Here's something Chris wrote a wh...