A few years ago, a team of scientists set out on a field expedition in the rugged, dry Northern Territory of Australia. There, they found a plant that was both strange and familiar hiding in plain sight. After careful research during the pandemic, the newly described tomato recently made its debut in PhytoKeys, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal. Today, Short Wave Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber talks to lead author Tanisha Williams about the plant's journey from the side of a trail in the Australian Outback to a greenhouse in rural Pennsylvania. Check out more of our favorite plant episodes:- When Autumn Leaves Start To Fall https://n.pr/3YuWOP6- Traditional Plant Knowledge Is Not A Quick Fix https://n.pr/3E4CUSU- New Discoveries In Underwater Plant Sex https://n.pr/3I4W9wC- Yep, We Made Up Vegetables https://n.pr/3xo6yyw- Micro Wave: Does Talking To Plants Help Them Grow?https://n.pr/40UO6v2Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other episodes from Short Wave
Transcribed and ready to explore now
Parasites Have Haunted Us For Millions Of Years
24 Oct 2025
Short Wave
Migrating Birds Have a Big, Clear Problem
22 Oct 2025
Short Wave
We Have the Cure. Why is Tuberculosis Still Around?
21 Oct 2025
Short Wave
Should Scientists Genetically Engineer Wild Species?
20 Oct 2025
Short Wave
Science Says Quitting Smoking At Any Age Is Good For The Brain
17 Oct 2025
Short Wave
What Happens When You're Under Anesthesia?
15 Oct 2025
Short Wave