Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We are updating our website. Some features may be unavailable during this time. For more information, including currently known issues, visit here.

When Ancient Weeds Fooled Us

Season 8 Episode 10 | 11m 37s

During the agricultural revolution, ancient weeds repeatedly evolved to mimic crops, fooling farmers into tending them. Some of today’s familiar plants began as uninvited guests that hid their true identity. This accidental domestication had a dark side, too—alongside helpful plants came hidden enemies.

Aired: 01/26/26
Latest Episodes
All
What about the Great Dying caused a global age of mutant plants?
Around 300 million years ago sails were all the rage, but we're still not sure what they were for.
During the Permian Period many tetrapods, or four-limbed vertebrates, took to life in the trees.
Life begins to rebound after the destruction of the mass extinction ending the Permian Period.
An apocalypse ended the Permian Period 252 million years ago, wiping out more than 80% of species.
The first saber-teeth and tusks evolve in the Late Permian and our ancestors, the cynodonts, appear.
For millions of years after the Great Dying microbes ruled the Earth.
An extinction in the Middle Permian decimates life, from a fossil reef to our ancient relatives.
The first herbivorous vertebrates evolve on the side of the amniote family tree leading to mammals.
Seed plants and amniotes adapt to dry climates, helping them thrive on Pangea in the Permian Period.
Extras
Appraisal: Victorian Slide Chain & Diamond Bracelet
Aaron Glantz and Sophie Hills discuss AI companies' efforts to influence the midterms.
News Wrap: AI giant Anthropic preparing for initial public offering
Candidates enter final week of campaigning with control of Congress at stake
Netanyahu faces Israeli voters in first election since Oct. 7 and Gaza war
Lula prevails in Brazil but Flávio Bolsonaro refuses to concede
How do you study a wetland when it isn't wet? Jordon and Rae enter a very dry Everglades.
Campaigns spend big to sway voters with increasingly personal attack ads
Student-led movement ousts Serbia's right-wing ruler in historic election
Spiritual leaders unite to help keep the peace on Election Day
The Permian began with the formation of a supercontinent and ended in the biggest extinction ever.
Take a journey through the history of life on Earth.
When Rodents Rafted Across the Ocean
For birds that can't fly, how did Ratites end up all over the world?
Camels' origins story begins in an environment you’d never expect: a rainforest.
The story of sloths is one of astounding ecological variability.
When Sharks Swam the Great Plains
Today, apes live only in Africa and Asia but this wasn't always the case.
What happened to the largest shark in history?
Not too long ago, our early human ancestors were under threat of attack from predators.