EPISODE TWO: MILEY CYRUS VERSUS THE JOSHUA TREE

In April 2019, Miley Cyrus sat on a Joshua tree. In this episode, we investigate the consequences of that plant crime. While trying to figure out basic information about Joshua trees, we learn how mysterious they are. And how these iconic trees have way bigger problems than the Hannah Montana star. 

Guests: 

Neil Frakes — tropical botanical horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

William Schlesinger — biogeochemistry professor 

Source material: 

The Joshua Tree by James W. Cornett

Yucca Brevifolia by Corey Gucker

An Autecological Study of Blackbrush in Southwestern Utah by James Bowns 

When and How to Move a Tortoise by Joshua Tree National Park 

Further reading: 

American Indians by Charlotte Hunter

Forget Coachella, there’s a vibrant, more affordable music scene around Joshua Tree by Melanie D. G. Kaplan

Everything to know about Joshua Tree National Park by National Geographic staff

Joshua Tree National Park: music, myths and art in the desert by Robert Hull

Joshua Tree National Park by Audubon

Joshua Tree’s peaceful, easy allure has for decades lured artists, musicians and the pure of heart by Jeffrey Fleishman

Plant Crimes is written and produced by me, Ellen Airhart. If you like this episode, please subscribe and tell people about it through a review. If you want to make sure there’s a season two, here’s a link to my Patreon. Plant Crimes art is by Nikki Duong. Intro music by Doxent Zsigmond and theme song and outro music is by APM Music. If you want me to investigate a plant crime or you would like to advertise on the show, please get in touch via email at plantcrimes [at] gmail [dot] com, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.