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    Science FridayThe secret powers of flowers
    16 minEpisode 1263

    The secret powers of flowers

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    Flowers peeking up through the soil are a welcome sight after a long cold winter—and are one of the first markers of spring. Biologist David George Haskell argues that flowers aren’t just beautiful: They’re also critical to most ecosystems and the diversity of life as we know it. Flowering plants also make up a large part of human diets (rice, maize, and wheat are all flowers).

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    © Science Friday and WNYC StudiosLength 16 min24 March 2026Episode 1263ScienceFactsEducationalUSAEpisodic

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    This is an episodic podcast, so you can listen to it in any order, but episode one is a great place to start.

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    Flowers peeking up through the soil are a welcome sight after a long cold winter—and are one of the first markers of spring. Biologist David George Haskell argues that flowers aren’t just beautiful: They’re also critical to most ecosystems and the diversity of life as we know it. Flowering plants also make up a large part of human diets (rice, maize, and wheat are all flowers). And homing in on orchids, Haskell says, can help us understand the complex relationship between flowers and pollinators.

    Guest:

    Dr. David George Haskell is a biologist and author of: “How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature’s Revolutionaries”

    Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

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    © Science Friday and WNYC Studios |Original Episode URL. The content, artwork and advertising within this podcast is not owned or affiliated with Sound Carrot and remain the property of their respective owners.


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