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PODCAST

In Defense of Plants Podcast

In Defense of Plants

Plants are everything. They are also incredibly interesting. From the smallest duckweed to the tallest redwood, the botanical world is full of wonder. Tune in for a podcast celebrating everything botany.

science & medicine natural sciences

All Episodes

00:37:26

Ep. 375 - Insights from the Popcorn Flowers

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/06/26

You never know what we can from plants until we take a closer look. Such is the case for the popcorn flowers (genus Cryptantha). These members of the forget-me-not family offer wonderful insights into topics like ecology, evolution, and biogeography. That is why scientists like my guest Dr. Makenzie Mabry sing the praises of these small plants and want to position them as model organisms. Tune in and learn more about this remarkable genus. This episode was produced in part by Earl, Jocelyn, Gary,

en-US

00:50:23

Ep. 374 - A Milkweed on the Brink

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/06/19

As far as milkweeds are concerned, Mead's milkweed (Asclepias meadii) doesn't grab a lot of headlines. That is a shame because it is a milkweed in desperate need of conservation attention. Its preferred habitat is unplowed, remnant prairies and those are growing increasingly rare as well. However, my guest on this episode has made great strides with her colleagues in our understanding of Mead's milkweed conservation needs. Join me and Dr. Christy Edwards as we explore the in's and out's of Mead's

en-US

00:44:06

Ep. 373 - The Sex Lives of Yucca Revisited

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/06/12

We dive into the back catalogue this episode to explore the world of Yucca pollination. Yuccas are cool plants just based on appearances but their pollination ecology is downright fascinating. All members of the genus Yucca rely on moths for pollination and the moths themselves could not exist if it wasn't for Yucca flowers. What started as a parasitic relationship has since evolved into an extremely specific mutualism. Join Syracuse University's Dr. Kari Segraves and I as we discuss her research on

en-US

00:44:43

Ep. 372 - Cyanogenic Plants

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/06/05

Cyanide is one of the most potent toxins on our planet and a bewildering variety of plants put in the effort to produce it. Join me and Dr. Scott Zona as we explore the world of botanical cyanogenesis and learn what kinds of plants produce cyanide, the mechanisms of storing and releasing this toxin, and why they go through all the effort. This episode was produced in part by Gary, Krysta, Elizabeth, Southern California Carnivorous Plant Enthusiasts, Pattypollinators, Peter, Judson, Ella, Alex, Dan,

en-US

00:51:47

Ep. 371 - The Million Orchid Project

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/05/29

A massive science experiment aimed at both studying and reintroducing orchids to their native landscapes? Yes, please! Join me and Dr. Jason Downing as we discuss Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden' Million Orchid Project and learn how everyone from children to students to city planners are getting involved in orchid research and conservation efforts. This episode was produced in part by Krysta, Elizabeth, Southern California Carnivorous Plant Enthusiasts, Pattypollinators, Peter, Judson, Ella,

en-US

00:49:42

Ep. 370 - Interview with a Sedge-Head

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/05/22

In this episode, we are diving into the back catalogue to appreciate an under-appreciated group of plants - the sedges (genus Carex). Join me and my friend and botanist Paul Marcum as we discuss the amazing world of sedges, why they are important, and why he loves them so much. This episode originally aired in November of 2016, so if you noticed a difference in recording quality, that is why. Either way, enjoy our adventure into the wonderful world of sedges from a true Sedge Head. This episode was

en-US

00:39:27

Ep. 369 - A Historical Perspective on the Coontie

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/05/15

This episode is all about North America's most northerly cycad - the coontie (Zamia integrifolia). A fascinating species both ecologically and culturally, this small cycad once grew from southern Florida up into Georgia. Habitat loss and over-harvesting following European colonization has taken a serious toll on its numbers in the wild, but today it is making a comeback. Join me and my guest Dr. Patrick Griffith of the Montgomery Botanical Center as we discuss the fascinating biogeographic and

en-US

00:55:42

Ep. 368 - Bumblebees and their Habitat

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/05/08

If we care about organisms like bumblebees, we need to protect and restore their habitats and plants are that habitat. In this episode we hear from Senior Program Officer, Communications Lead,WWF Northern Great Plains Program Clay Bolt about the work being done to restore habitat and bolster bumblebee populations. This episode was produced in part by Judson, Ella, Alex, Dan, Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi,

en-US

00:56:46

Ep. 367 - Louisiana Iris Resurgence

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/05/01

The Louisiana irises are a group of 6 wetland species native to the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and other Gulf states. These irises are as interesting as they are beautiful, but in recent decades, many have forgotten the role they play in wetland ecology. Coupled with wanton destruction of their wetland habitats, these irises and the ecosystems to which they belong are in desperate need of more love and attention. That is where people like Gary Salathe and the Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative come

en-US

00:57:00

Ep. 366 - Forest Herbs in a Changing World

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/04/24

Did you know that the bulk of biodiversity in temperate forests lies not in the trees but in the herb layer? Forest herbs are vital to ecosystem health and function but how are they being affected by all of the changes going on around them? These are the kinds of questions for which Dr. Frank Gilliam likes to find answers. Join us for a fascinating and important discussion about forest herbs in a changing world. This episode was produced in part by Dan, Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn,

en-US

00:53:33

Ep. 365 - Fireflies & Plants

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/04/17

Fireflies are among the most celebrated organisms on Earth. What is not to love about their incredible light displays? However, fireflies can't exist without habitat and plants are that habitat. Join Dr. Sara Lewis and me as we discuss some of the intriguing connections between fireflies and plants. This episode was produced in part by Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah,

en-US

00:52:40

Ep. 364 - The Versatility of Living Plant Collections

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/04/10

Living plant collections at botanical gardens can serve many functions. They can be aesthetic, they can be educational, they can be conservation focused... the list goes on and none of these functions are mutually exclusive. In this episode, we sit down with Sean Lahmeyer, Collections and Conservation Manager for The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens to talk about these ideas and more at one of North Americas most beautiful and diverse botanical gardens. This episode was produced

en-US

01:20:35

Ep. 363 - Celebrating the Grasses

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/04/03

Try to imagine the world without grasses... It would be a very strange place, wouldn't it? This group of plants have shaped the Earth as we know it in innumerable ways. That is why my guest Al started Sejarah Poaceae, a blog dedicated to understanding and celebrating grasses. Join us for a conversation about his passion for all things grass. This episode was produced in part by Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern,

en-US

00:51:36

Ep. 362 - Watch for Wasps (because they are awesome!)

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/03/27

A world without wasps is a world we wouldn't want to live in. This diverse group of predatory insects is amazingly diverse and they all have a role to play in ecosystem health. We also have so much more to learn about them. That is why award-winning author, Heather Holm, wrote "Wasps," which serves as a field and natural history guide to various wasps that interact with plants in a big way. Join us for a discussion on why the wasps we usually think of are just the tip of a fascinating iceberg. This

en-US

00:54:43

Ep. 361 - In Praise of Ancient Trees

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/03/20

For trees, living for hundreds or even thousands of years is akin to winning the lottery. So many things can go wrong between germination and living long enough to be considered ancient. My guest today is Dr. Chuck Cannon of The Morton Arboretum and he wanted to know what those odds really looked like. Using forest modelling, he and his colleagues now have a better idea of just how special ancient trees truly are and why they are so important at all scales from individual to species to entire

en-US

00:42:16

Ep. 360 - Exploring a 4.5 Million Year Old Flora

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/03/13

If you could travel back in time 4.5 million years, how different would the flora look in your area? That is a difficult question to answer because we don't know of many fossil beds that capture this time period. That is one of the reasons the Gray Fossil Site in Tennessee is so amazing. Join me and Paleobotanist Dr. Liz Hermsen for a discussion about some of the amazing discoveries she and her colleagues are making from this unique paleontological gold mine. This episode was produced in part by

en-US

00:53:39

Ep. 359 - Removing Monocultures & Bolstering...

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/03/06

For geologist turned botanist Paul Heiple, sitting back and letting an invasive plant outcompete the plants that support native ecology was not an option. Join us as we discuss what he has learned from years of grassroots efforts to remove yellow star-thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), an invasive member of the aster family from the Mediterranean Basin. Paul's efforts are a wonderful example of how good things can come of hard work and dedication. This episode was produced in part by Pamela, Peter,

en-US

00:46:32

Ep. 358 - Oaks, Wasps, Galls, and Ants

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/02/27

What started as a question about some strange "seeds" in ant ant nest turned into an explosion of scientific investigations into the links between oaks, gall wasps, and ants. Join Dr. Robert Warren and me as we discuss the mind-blowing evolutionary insights that can come from natural history observations and what they could mean for seed dispersal in spring ephemerals. This episode was produced in part by Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly,

en-US

00:37:48

Ep. 357 - Plant Architecture Revisited

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/02/20

In this episode, we revisit a conversation I had back in 2017 with Dr. Karl Niklas. This is one of my favorite conversations because his work changed the way I look at plant evolution. Dr. Niklas utilizes mathematics to explain plant growth and form in relation to four basic physical constraints: 1) Plants have to capture sunlight and avoid shading their own leaves, 2) Plants have to support themselves structurally, 3) Plants have to conduct water to their various tissues, and 4) Plants must be able

en-US

00:59:17

Ep. 356 - Pollen & Plant Stress

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/02/13

Pollen, stress, ecosystem health... These three things are more connected than you may think. Join me and my guest Dr. Jeff Benca as we dive into research that is uncovering a whole new way to gauge how plants and the ecosystems they comprise react to everything from odd warming patterns to global catastrophe. This episode was produced in part by Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah,

en-US

315 results

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