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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

00:53:39

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

00:43:51

Ep. 355 - Figuring Out a Floating Aquatic Fern

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/02/06

Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is a mysterious floating aquatic fern from Brazil. It is also one of the most aggressive aquatic invasive species, able to clone itself over water bodies big and small. My guest today is Stacy Holt Jr who is using big theory to understand the dynamics of giant salvinia invasion and what we can do to lessen its impacts. This episode was produced in part by Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben,

en-US

00:50:31

Ep. 354 - Of Orchids & Fungi

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/01/30

The relationship between orchids and mycorrhizal fungi is not necessarily a harmonious one. From day one, orchids live more like parasites than mutualists. Understanding these relationships is not only fascinating but crucial to orchid survival. Join me and Dr. Lawrence Zettler as we explore what has been learned about this relationship and how it is being used in orchid conservation efforts. This episode was produced in part by Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia,

en-US

00:45:39

Ep. 353 - A Deep Dive on Some Sweetshrubs

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/01/23

If you thought you knew sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridanus), think again! Join botanist Katie Horton and me for a deep dive into the amazing and mysterious world of this ancient lineage. This episode was produced in part by Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie, Jeffrey, Amanda, Tommy, Marcel, C Leigh, Karma, Shelby,

en-US

00:33:20

Ep. 352 - Shared Floras a World Apart

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/01/16

Eastern North America and eastern Asia share a surprising amount of plant lineages. Termed the "eastern Asian–eastern North American floristic disjunction," this phenomenon has fascinated botanists for centuries. Interestingly, eastern Asia usually boasts more representatives of these shared genera than North America and our guest today has spent some time trying to figure out why. Joining us is Dr. Anthony Melton, an evolutionary biologist who uses phylogenetics to explain the evolutionary history

en-US

00:43:16

Ep. 351 - Can Pseudophoenix Rise From the Ashes?

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/01/09

What does it take to save a rare palm from extinction? You are about to find out! Listen in as we sit down with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's Conservation Program Manager, Jennifer Possley to learn about one of North America's rarest palms - Pseudophoenix sargentii. You will learn why conservation needs to be a long-term investment and how even a single individual can make a huge difference. This episode was produced in part by Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily,

en-US

00:49:58

Ep. 350 - Exploding Flowers

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2022/01/02

You may have heard about exploding fruit but what about exploding flowers? That is exactly what we are discussing in this episode. For Dr. Joan Edwards, there is no substitute for a walk in the woods, especially when we know so little about our botanical neighbors. This episode was produced in part by Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie,

en-US

00:31:51

Ep. 349 - A Prairie at Home

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/12/26

What would you rather have for a backyard, an industrial ag field or your own homegrown patch of prairie? For entomologist Fred Delcomyn, the choice was simple. Converting your yard into a functional prairie requires attention to detail and a fair amount of patience, but the rewards are endless. Joining us to talk about these efforts is botanist Jamie Ellis who, together with Fred, have published a wonderful book called "A Backyard Prairie: The Hidden Beauty of Tallgrass and Wildflowers" about their

en-US

00:47:17

Ep. 348 - Reversing the Nightmare on Elm Streets

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/12/19

In this episode, we sit down with Ecologist Dr. Leila Pinchot to learn about her work on American elm (Ulmus americana) restoration. Devastated by the combination of invasive fungi and bark beetles, American elm and its relatives present a challenge to species and ecosystem conservation. Learn why city trees were more heavily impacted than rural trees and find out how selective breeding and proper restoration planning are helping ensure elms have a future in our forests. This episode was produced in

en-US

00:48:44

Ep. 347 - Resisting the Emerald Ash Borer

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/12/12

The invasive emerald ash borer has devastated North America's ash trees (genus Fraxinus), but we aren't going to stand by and let it happen. Join Ecologist Dr. Kathleen Knight and me about all the incredible work being done to keep ash from going extinct. This episode was produced in part by Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie, Jeffrey, Amanda, Tommy, Marcel,

en-US

01:03:36

Ep. 346 - A Longleaf Adventure Revisited

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/12/05

This time of year has me thinking of friendships both past and present, which is why I wanted to revisit this old episode. What you are about to hear is my first experience botanizing a longleaf pine savanna with the wonderful Sara Johnson and our late friend and botanical mentor, Dr. Mark Whitten. Those of you who have been listening to the podcast since the early days may remember parts of this hike from episode 91. So, sit back and enjoy a day full of botanical adventure and learning! This

en-US

00:48:42

Ep. 345 - Reconstructing Two Centuries of Midwest...

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/11/28

Understanding the role of fire in an ecosystem is very important. It can also be a very difficult task where good data are limited. This hasn't stopped Dr. Greg Spyreas and colleagues from trying! By scouring over two centuries worth of historical documents for first-person accounts, Dr. Spyreas and others have been able to track 200+ years of fire history in the tallgrass prairies of the Midwest. This episode was produced in part by Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor,

en-US

00:45:54

Ep. 344 - A Thistle on the Brink

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/11/21

Pitcher's thistle (Cirsium pitcheri) just might be one of the most intensely studied endangered plants in the world and yet its numbers are still in decline. From habitat loss to biocontrols gone awry, this poor dune specialist just can't catch a break. As stacked as the battle to save this species might be, that doesn't mean people like Dr. Kay Havens of the Chicago Botanic Garden aren't trying. Tune in and learn what is being done to ensure this rare Great Lakes endemic doesn't go extinct. This

en-US

00:48:31

Ep. 343 - Native Seed Science

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/11/14

Unlocking the mysteries of seed germination is vital for effective plant conservation and restoration. Join Dr. Marcello De Vitis and me as we discuss the ins and outs of native seed science. This episode was produced in part by Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie, Jeffrey, Amanda, Tommy, Marcel, C Leigh, Karma, Shelby, Christopher, Alvin, Arek, Chellie, Dani, Paul, Dani,

en-US

01:08:17

Ep. 342 - The Way of the Gardener

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/11/07

Gardener, author, and environmentalist Lyndon Penner returns to the podcast to talk about his new book, "The Way of the Gardener: Lost in the Weeds Along the Camino de Santiago." This book details his 825 km (512 mi) journey across Spain and all of the wonderful plants he met along the way. This episode was produced in part by Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie, Jeffrey,

en-US

01:12:23

Ep. 341 - Moonwort Madness

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/10/31

In this episode, we explore the mysterious world of moonworts (Ophioglossaceae) with botanist and moonwort fanatic, Steve Popovich. Whereas we still have a lot to learn about these strange ferns, the insights we have gained have revealed amazing things about evolution, ecology, and soil health. Warning: listening to this episode may cause Botrychulosis! This episode was produced in part by Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia,

en-US

00:36:05

Ep. 340 - The Race to Save a Remnant Prairie

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2021/10/24

Upwards of 170 million acres of prairie once covered North America. Today, humans have reduced this to only 0.01%. The remnant prairies (fragments of the original, pre-colonial prairie landscape) that remain represent vestiges of this once great ecosystem and harbor many threatened and endangered species. In this episode, we discuss the impending destruction of one of Illinois last great remnant prairies. Bell Bowl Prairie is slated to be bulldozed for the expansion of an airport at the end of this

en-US

319 results

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