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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: The Meaning of Flowers

The Essay: The Meaning of Flowers: Episode 4: Magnolia

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Magnolia

Episode 4

Episode 4: Magnolia

The Meaning of Flowers

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, The Meaning of Flowers, Magnolia

Fiona Stafford discusses magnolias, which are among the oldest plants in the world.

Professor Fiona Stafford discusses magnolias, which are among the oldest plants in the world, having evolving before bees or butterflies, and are used for food and medicine.

A new series of essays written and presented by experienced essayist, Fiona Stafford, Professor of Literature at Somerville College, Oxford. Following her three popular essay series The Meaning of Trees for BBC Radio 3, Fiona explores the symbolism, importance, topicality and surprises of five of the UK's most common flowers. Across the series of essays, our ambiguous relationship with some of our best known and loved flowers is explored.

Magnolias are amongst the oldest plants in the world. They evolved before bees or butterflies, hence they are pollinated by beetles and close at night to hold them inside to ensure pollination. A two-thousand-year-old seed was found in Japan and when planted it grew into an ancient magnolia. Other surprises include that they are used for food: the Chinese eat pickled magnolia, the whole flower buds boiled as a vegetable and the leaves as an aromatic flavouring. Medicinal properties of magnolias include having active ingredients that are antiseptic, and that inhibit cholesterol and melanoma. There are almost 1500 magnolia hybrids that come in many more colours from purple to yellow to white, pink or even brown - much more exciting and varied than the decorator's boring magnolia beige. Britain's National Magnolia collection is in Caerhays in Cornwall. 

Producer - Turan Ali 
A Bona Broadcasting production for BBC Radio 3.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Fiona Stafford explores our relationship with some of our best-known and loved flowers

Fiona Stafford, professor of literature at Somerville College, Oxford, explores our ambiguous relationship with some of our best-known and loved flowers

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