# Ghost Orchid with Dr. Melissa Abdo

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/plant-people-6889546/ghost-orchid-with-dr-melissa-abdo
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/plant-people-6889546/ghost-orchid-with-dr-melissa-abdo.md
Podcast: [Plant People](https://stenobird.com/podcast/plant-people-6889546)
Published: 2026-03-16T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://play.prx.org/listen?ge=prx_7023_d99dfc86-f0c2-4756-b265-b1edbcc26350&uf=https%3A%2F%2Fplantpeople.podcast.nybg.org%2F
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/sblTq32fyWAjsHzze2LG/dovetail.prxu.org/7023/d99dfc86-f0c2-4756-b265-b1edbcc26350/NYBG_PP_S3_E4_FINAL.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/plant-people-6889546/episodes/ghost-orchid-with-dr-melissa-abdo
Duration seconds: 1618

## Resource

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Melissa Abdo, a Floridian whose work in conservation has brought her face to face with countless captivating yet threatened plants in the swamps of the southeast—including the ghost orchid. Long coveted by poachers, and central to the plot of author Susan Orlean’s bestselling book, The Orchid Thief , this ethereal flower faces an uncertain future, inspiring calls for its protection under the Endangered Species Act. Join us as we dive into this orchid’s story, one of passion and even obsession.

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## Transcript

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