About this episode

Tom and Helen explore the evolution of flowers and their impact on the world, featuring insights from various experts.

Tom and Helen explore why the evolution of flowers created the world we know today, uncover some of the fascinating ways flowers use shape, colour and scent to bewitch pollinators, and dig into how pollen can reveal the secrets of ancient crime scenes and help us restore lost landscapes. Guests will include writer David George Haskell, pollen expert Michelle Farrell and botanist Sandra Knapp, Director of Research at the Natural History Museum. Presenters – Tom Heap and Helen Czerski Producer – Beth Sagar-Fenton Produced in association with the Open University

People in this episode

Hosts: Tom Heap, Helen Czerski

Guests: David George Haskell, Michelle Farrell, Sandra Knapp

Topics covered

• evolution of flowers
• pollination
• ancient crime scenes
• landscape restoration
• botany

Keywords

• flowers
• pollinators
• pollen
• evolution
• botanist
• crime scenes
• landscapes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Natural History Museum, Open University

More episodes of Rare Earth

• Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog · June 5, 2026 · 53 min
• Leaving Fossil Fuels Behind · May 30, 2026 · 52 min
• Hot Sport · March 27, 2026 · 53 min
• America and the Planet · March 20, 2026 · 52 min
• Lakes, Lochs and Loughs · March 13, 2026 · 53 min
• Should we still have zoos? · March 6, 2026 · 53 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Rare Earth podcast page.