How Flowers Have Sex and Other Secrets of Plants

The Leonard Lopate Show | May 20, 2014

Frustrated by plants that fail to thrive, Ruth Kassinger set out to understand the basics of botany in order to become a better gardener. She learned that flowers have sex, leaves eat air, roots choose their food, and hormones make morning glories climb fence posts. She also discovered the science behind extraordinary plants like one-ton pumpkins, a truly black petunia, and a biofuel grass that grows 12 feet tall. Garden of Marvels: How We Discovered that Flowers Have Sex, Leaves Eat Air, and Other Secrets of Plants takes readers on an eye-opening journey into the garden.

Be alert for scams. WNYC never asks for nor accepts money for coverage or interviews. Anyone making such a request does not represent WNYC.

Top Stories

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate

The Coastal Erosion Threatening NY and NJ

Watch: Test your news knowledge with Brian Lehrer

Advice for Strong Marriages and Long-Term Romantic Partnerships

YOU ARE ONLINE