How a St. Louis scientist is decoding the ‘invisible language’ between plants and pollinators

How a St. Louis scientist is decoding the ‘invisible language’ between plants and pollinators

Author: St. Louis Public Radio February 20, 2026 Duration: 23:08
Scientists are beginning to decode how floral scents attract specific pollinators. Mónica Carlsen of the Missouri Botanical Garden is taking her research of anthuriums, a common household plant known for their wide leaves and protruding spike, from the Climatron and will soon travel to Colombia to capture plant scents in the wild, aiming to better understand the “invisible language” between plants and pollinators. We also hear from Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum curator Nezka Pfeifer about the museum’s latest exhibit “Smelling the Bouquet: Plants and Scents in the Garden.”

Tune in to St. Louis on the Air for the conversations that define our city and region. Produced by St. Louis Public Radio, this daily podcast goes beyond the headlines to foster a genuine dialogue, one where community voices are central. Each episode gathers a range of perspectives-from everyday residents to experts and creators-to thoughtfully examine the issues, challenges, and innovations shaping life here. You might find yourself immersed in a discussion about local history one day and a deep dive into a groundbreaking scientific discovery the next. The program consistently makes space for the artists, musicians, and authors who contribute to the cultural fabric of the area. What you’ll hear is a respectful and honest exchange of ideas, reflecting the complex character of St. Louis itself. It’s a direct line to the stories of the people who live, work, and create in this community. For anyone curious about the forces at play in the region or simply wanting to feel more connected, this podcast serves as an essential, engaging resource. The result is a comprehensive audio portrait of a city in motion, delivered with the depth and nuance you’d expect from public radio.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

St. Louis on the Air
Podcast Episodes
Lou Magdits leaves Rolla City Council after 32 years of service [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:59
For the first time in 32 years, Lou Magdits is not on the Rolla City Council. He did not seek re-election after 12 years as mayor — three terms that followed 20 years representing the city’s fourth ward. Madgits sits dow…
Displaced Black church remembered and honored in Clayton ceremony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
Clayton was once home to a large and thriving Black community. The First Baptist Church of Clayton — which sat on South Brentwood Boulevard — was part of that physical community until the city’s urban development plans f…
Missouri man begins life in Europe after deportation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:10
When Owen Ramsingh returned to the U.S. from visiting his father in the Netherlands, he expected to go home to Columbia, Missouri — where he’d lived for decades. Instead, he was detained at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and u…
How Route 66 connected the world and the Midwest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:57
Last month, we recognized 100 years since the commissioning of historic Route 66 by talking about its legacy and notable stops along the highway. We were only able to touch on a small portion of the route’s history, so n…
The significance of protest music in St. Louis and American history [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
Protest and activism come in many forms, including music that draws attention to current issues that artists find most pressing, and important. On this episode of “The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air,”…