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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 natural sciences

All Episodes

01:00:45

Ep. 526 - Biodiversity & Ecosystem Function

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/05/18

Changes in biodiversity are happening all over the globe. From losses to homogenization, understanding the affects of biodiversity change are paramount to understanding how ecosystems function. Nowhere is this more apparent than with plants. Join me and ecologist Dr. Jake Grossman as we explore the links between tree diversity and ecosystem functioning. This episode was produced in part by Austin, Sarah, Ethan, Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana,

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01:04:11

Ep. 525 - Lessons from Ancient Grasslands

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/05/11

Say "old growth" and we all too often picture ancient forests with large, gnarly trees. However, forests aren't the only habitat types that can reach old growth status. Prairies, savannas, and woodlands can be old growth too and it is vital that we both protect and learn from them as they are one of the rarest habitat types on Earth. Join me and ecologist Dan Carter from The Prairie Enthusiasts as we discuss old growth grasslands and what they can teach us about ecological restoration. This episode

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00:59:04

Ep. 524 - Tackling the Oval Sedges

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/05/04

Sedges (genus Carex) can be an intimidating group of plants to get your head wrapped around, but it doesn't have to be that way. One key element to understanding them is knowing what to look for, which is why I am so excited to talk about a new book/key to the oval sedges - “Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States”. Join me and authors Michael Murphy, Greg Spyreas, and Paul Marcum as we explore what it took to put together their beautifully illustrated guide to these Carex, why they spent years

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01:01:14

Ep. 523 - Prickly Pear Cacti Are Wonderfully Complex

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/04/27

The odds of encountering a prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) in your lifetime is high no matter where you live. That is how abundant, diverse, and charismatic these cacti truly are. For all of their intrigue, so much about these spiny succulents remains a mystery. Trying to understand their diversity is fraught with challenges, both physical and academic, but that hasn't dissuaded people like Dr. Lucas Majure. Join us for a fascinating dive into the world of prickly pear cacti diversity and

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00:57:22

Ep. 522 - Shocking Relationships Between Trees &...

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/04/20

Getting struck by lightning is always thought of as a bad thing, but what if it wasn't? Trees can't get up and escape when storms roll in and the chances of one getting struck by lightning increases as they grow taller. For at least one species of tropical tree, getting struck could actually be beneficial not only to individuals but also populations. Join me and Dr. Evan Gora as we look at the shocking relationships between trees and lightning. This episode was produced in part by Elle, Steve,

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00:58:33

Ep. 521 - Plant Conservation from the Sky

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/04/13

Go looking for information on rare plant population health and it can be surprisingly hard to come by. Plant monitoring, especially over the long term, is a challenge and data have not always kept up with the need. Dr. Michelle DePrenger-Levin and her colleagues at the Denver Botanic Gardens are doing their part to fix this and using some cool technology in the process. Join us as we discuss how drones are helping plant monitoring and conservation efforts. This episode was produced in part by Elle,

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00:53:40

Ep. 520 - Saving Orchids!

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/04/06

What does it take to save orchids from extinction? Saving Orchids by Dr's Philip Seaton and Larry Zettler showcase the dedicated folks who are making it happen across the world. From why orchids need our help to cultivating in the lab and returning them to the wild, Saving Orchids is an inspirational read for anyone with even the slightest interest in nature and conservation. Join us for a peak at what this book is all about and what went in to writing it. This episode was produced in part by Elle,

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00:53:53

Ep. 519 - Sonoran Desert, Past & Future

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/03/30

Visit the Sonoran Desert and you too will fall in love with its beauty and diversity. It is truly one of the most incredible places on earth. Dr. Ben Wilder agrees which is why he has dedicated his life to understanding the history of the Sonoran flora and using that knowledge to help ensure it has a future. Join us for a celebration of all things Sonoran Desert. This episode was produced in part by Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max,

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00:57:43

Ep. 518 - The Complexities of Plant Reproduction

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/03/23

What does it mean to be a successful plant? Reproduction? Population growth? What factors influence these important events and which contribute more to a population through time? The answers to these questions are very complex and climate change is only making things harder to understand. Dr. Amy Iler and her colleagues are not afraid to try and tackle such questions. Join us as we explore her research on these factors and more in the Rocky Mountains. This episode was produced in part by Aaron,

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00:55:11

Ep. 517 - Demystifying the Woolly Devil

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/03/16

The woolly devil (Ovicula biradiata) is a fascinating and unique member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) that was only recently described to science. It was first found in Big Bend National Park in Texas and serves as an important reminder of not only the need for protecting wild places but also how little we still know about the natural world. Join me and Dr. Isaac Lichter Marck as we discuss what makes this plant unique, what it can teach us about plant evolution in stressful habitats, and what it

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00:47:54

Ep. 516 - Plants in the Afterlife

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/03/09

Plants ARE habitat and that doesn't stop when they die. Countless species of microbes, fungi, arthropods, and more not only take up residence in dead plant material but also require it to complete their lifecycle. My guest today is Dr. Amy Zanne and she spends a lot of time thinking about the things that live in dead wood and their impacts on the world around us. As you will hear, these organisms have major impacts on how our planet functions.This episode was produced in part by Abi, Rich, Shad,

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00:50:17

Ep. 515 - Phenology is Important

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/03/02

The emergence of leaves, the blooming of flowers, the arrival of pollinators... these are all biological events that are closely tied to the changing seasons. The study of this linkage is called Phenology and my guest today wants to share her passion for this wonderful world of inquiry. Join me and Dr. Theresa Crimmins as we discuss the USA National Phenology Network and her new book "Phenology" that details a lot of what she has learned studying seasonal timing. This episode was produced in part by

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00:56:37

Ep. 514 - Parent/Offspring Conflicts in Moss

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/02/23

Parents and children don't always get along. Sometimes they can even be competitors. Conflicts often lead to interesting evolutionary adaptations and mosses are no stranger to this. Join me and Dr. Jessica Budke as we explore a familial tug of war going on all around us. This episode was produced in part by Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK,

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00:45:08

Ep. 513 - The Enigma of the Galax Genome

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/02/16

Spend any time in the southern Appalachian Mountains and you are bound to cross paths with Galax urceolata. This wonderful little evergreen herb seems to be at home in a variety of habitats from forest streams to granite outcrops and everywhere in between. It is also culturally significant and even suffers from poaching in some areas. Despite its place in Appalachian ecology and history, Galax holds many mysteries, especially when it comes to its genome. Join me and Dr. Shelly Gaynor as we explore

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00:48:11

Ep. 512 - The Complexity of Mangrove Ecosystems

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/02/09

Mangrove forests are dynamic places and so too are the people that study them. From carbon capture and peat formation, to restoration and hydrology, these coastal habitats offer curious minds plenty to ponder. Join me and Dr. Luke Lamb-Wotton as we explore the wonderfully complex world of these coastal ecosystems. This episode was produced in part by Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon,

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00:55:42

Ep. 511 - Paw Paw Randomness

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/02/02

Paw paw (Asimina triloba) is a charismatic and special species. It is the most northerly growing member of a mostly tropical family. It also has considerable influence on its herbaceous neighbors. Join me and PhD student Anna Wassel as we explore the random world of pawpaw and understory herb community assembly. This episode was produced in part by Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick,

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00:58:42

Ep. 510 - Epiphytes & Phorophytes

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/01/26

Mosses, liverworts, and lichens live in a world of their own. Not unlike the trees they grow on, these tiny organisms must play out the dramas of obtaining the water, nutrients, and light they need to survive, they are just doing so on a much smaller scale. At the same time, they are supporting their own food webs that scale far bigger than their own lives. Join me and Dr. Greg McGee as we explore the world of epiphytes and the phorophytes that support them and learn what they can teach us about

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00:51:48

Ep. 509 - The Power of Biotic Resistance

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/01/19

Invasive species reduce native biodiversity and hinder an ecosystem's ability to support life, including our own. Managing invasive species can be very challenging, but that doesn't intimidate people like Dr. Mike Schuster. Learn how he and his colleagues are using the ecological principal of biotic resistance to study how some native plants such as rye grasses (genus Elymus) can help control invasive species like buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). This episode was produced in part by Shad, Maddie,

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00:50:04

Ep. 508 - The Cashew Family Revisited

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/01/12

What do cashews (Anacardium spp.), mangoes (Mangifera spp.), pistachios (Pistacia spp.), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron spp.) have in common? They are all members of the family Anacardiaceae! Revisit this conversation with Executive Director at the United States Botanic Garden, Dr. Susan Pell, who has devoted her career to understanding this incredible and surprisingly diverse family. Join us as we discuss everything from their evolutionary relationships to the remarkable ways in which some members

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00:14:26

Ep. 507 - The Beginning Revisited

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/01/05

January 2025 marks the 10 year anniversary (!!!) of the In Defense of Plants Podcast. To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to revisit the first episode of the podcast. Travel back a decade to a tiny, old Buffalo NY apartment where a young and naive Matt waxes poetic about his love for jewel orchids (Ludisia discolor) as a blizzard rages outside. This episode was produced in part by Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography,

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