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Oct 2020
11m 2s

Micro Wave: Why Do Leaves Change Color D...

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About this episode
Botanist and founder of #BlackBotanistsWeek Tanisha Williams explains why some leaves change color during fall and what shorter days and colder temperatures have to do with it.

Plus, a bit of listener mail from you! Which you can always send by emailing shortwave@npr.org.

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