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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

00:53:41

Ep. 544 - Helping Move the Needle on Sagebrush...

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/09/21

Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is a foundational species in the ecology and economy of much of western North America. It also faces numerous threats. From invasive grasses and mega wildfires, it is important that we learn how to better restore sagebrush and the habitat it provides. That is where people like Dr. Trevor Caughlin come in. Join us as we look at how he and his lab are leveraging new technologies to help understand sagebrush and move the needle on helping to restore it. This episode

en-US

00:45:53

Ep. 543 - Cryptic Ghost Pipe Diversity

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/09/14

Ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora) has captured the imaginations of many a hiker and can you blame them? What is not to love about a parasitic plant that bucks all the traditional plant trends? For as charismatic as this ghost pipe is, we still have a lot to learn about it. For instance, what has largely been considered a widespread single species turns out to by two. Join me and Ashley Keesling as we explore what it takes to uncover cryptic Monotropa diversity and what her research can tell us about

en-US

01:04:41

Ep. 542 - The Passion Flower Family Revisited

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/09/07

It is time to revisit this episode is all about the passion flower family - Passifloraceae. Joining us is long time friend of the podcast, the one and only Rebecca Hilgenhof. Rebecca is extremely passionate about this group and I can't think of a better person to dish out an eloquent introduction to these wonderful plants. This episode was produced in part by Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda, Sylvan, Austin, Sarah,

en-US

00:48:53

Ep. 541 - Coexistence & Maintaining Species Boundaries

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/08/31

How are species boundaries maintained when groups of related plant species live near each other? Considering all the things that need to go right for a plant to survive and reproduce, this is not an easy question to answer. Luckily, the genus Lobelia offers multiple opportunities to explore concepts related to plant coexistence and evolution and that is exactly why Dr. Andrea Case is drawn to this genus. Join us for a fascinating discussion about species coexistence and the maintenance of species

en-US

00:40:01

Ep. 540 - Orchids for Peace

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/08/24

Orchids for Peace believes orchids are symbols for both peace and biodiversity. By empowering communities to conserve these plants, this wonderful organization encourages environmental stewardship and fosters a future where nature and humanity thrive together. Join me and founder Dr. Tatiana Arias as we explore why she started Orchids for Peace and how you can lend a hand in their mission to bring people and orchids together for the good of the planet. This episode was produced in part by

en-US

00:58:48

Ep. 539 - Exploring the Seed Microbiome

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/08/17

Microbes are everywhere, even in seeds! Indeed, seeds from various plants can host a community of different microbes. Despite how cool this sounds, we still have a lot to learn about seed microbiomes. Join me and Dr. Gilliam Burgmann as we explore questions like what kinds of microbes are present in seeds? How do these communities differ? Are microbes good, bad, or indifferent to the seeds that host them? This episode was produced in part by Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia,

en-US

00:42:48

Ep. 538 - Coastal Wetlands, Rising Seas, & Ghost Forests

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/08/10

Coastal wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on our planet. They are a boon for plants, animals, and people alike. However, sea level rise is changing these ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. Join me and Dr. Keryn Gedan as we explore the links between sea level rise, wetland migration, and ghost forests and learn how communities are bracing themselves for adapting to these changes. This episode was produced in part by Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia,

en-US

00:51:23

Ep. 537 - From Seeds to Climate

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/08/03

Large seed dispersers are disproportionately affected by human disturbances like habitat loss and poaching. At the same time, a disproportionate number of tropical tree species rely on animals for seed dispersal. What happens when these animals disappear from an area? Do forests suffer and how might this impact things like carbon cycling and climate? Join me and Dr. Evan Fricke as we explore these questions and more. This episode was produced in part by Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly,

en-US

00:49:28

Ep. 536 - Tropical Forests & Loss of Seed Dispersers

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/07/27

Seed dispersal is a vital ecological process no matter what scale you look at. From the genetic diversity of plant populations to the impact of forests on climate, how plants move around the landscape and regenerate is one of the most important processes on Earth. So, what happens when plants lose seed their seed dispersers? How do things like poaching and habitat loss affect these ecological relationships? These are the kinds of questions that drive Dr. Therese Lamperty's research. Join us for a

en-US

00:59:30

Ep. 535 - Quillworts Revisited

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/07/20

Their ancestors once dominated the coal swamps of the Carboniferous Period, growing into massive trees that could reach upwards of 160 feet (50 m) into the canopy. Today, the quillworts (Isoetes spp.) are all that remains of this lineage. Though cosmopolitan in their distribution, quillworts can be hard to find unless you know where to look. Luckily, there are people like Dr. David Wickell who have placed them at the center of their scientific focus. Dr. Wickell is hard at work helping to uncover

en-US

00:55:16

Ep. 534 - Self-Incompatibility in Phlox

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/07/13

Self-Incompatibility is a means by which some plants prevent self-fertilization and promotes outcrossing. It has evolved independently in many different groups and plays a very important role in the ecology, evolution, and conservation of different species. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Grace Burgin to explore the multitude of ways she is trying to understand self-incompatibility in the genus Phlox. Join us for a fascinating deep dive into what it takes to understand this phenomenon in Phlox

en-US

00:50:12

Ep. 533 - Native Plants & Biodiversity on the High Line

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/07/06

The High Line was once a major railway. Today, it is one of the best gardens in the United States. By focusing on and encouraging native plants, horticulturists at horticulture at the High Line is supporting biodiversity in one of the busiest cities on the planet. Join me and senior director of horticulture Richard Hayden as we explore what makes the High Line so special for wildlife and the community. This episode was produced in part by Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda,

en-US

00:54:27

Ep. 532 - Fireflies & Plants Revisited

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/06/29

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. Revisit a conversation between Dr. Sara Lewis and me as we discuss some of the intriguing connections between fireflies and plants. This episode was produced in part by Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda, Sylvan, Austin, Sarah, Ethan, Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie,

en-US

01:05:39

Ep. 531 - Native Plants Feed Ecosystems

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/06/22

This episode explores the nuances of why it is so important to plant native plants. Native plants are the cornerstone of nearly every ecosystem on Earth because they are both food and habitat wrapped into one. Join me and Dr. Desirée Narango as we explore how native plants feed ecosystems. This episode was produced in part by Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda, Sylvan, Austin, Sarah, Ethan, Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max,

en-US

00:44:44

Ep. 530 - Our Relationship with the Joshua Tree

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/06/15

The Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) has attained celebrity status in recent times, but that hasn't always been the case. For over a century, the Joshua tree was viewed as a useless and repulsive plant that bucked all attempts to tame it. How our relationship with Yucca brevifolia went from hatred to worship is the topic of "Yuck", in which author Barret Baumgart dives into the history of this species, how it has changed over the years and how climate change and rampant tourism may spell disaster for

en-US

00:56:37

Ep. 529 - Native Plants, Habitat, & Infectious Diseases

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/06/08

Whether you realize it or not, our lives depend on the native plant communities that comprise and support regional biodiversity. As we lose habitat, we lose species, and we lose the checks and balances that keep the living world functional. Scientists are increasingly uncovering the links between human health issues like infectious diseases and biodiversity loss and that is exactly what Dr. James Shepherd and I discuss in this episode. Join us as we explore the links between habitat loss, native

en-US

01:02:18

Ep. 528 - Flower Color is Complex

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/06/01

On face value, flower colors would seem to have everything to do with pollination, but it is far more complex than that. The pigments that give flowers the colors we can see can have many different functions and how they evolve is a fascinating realm of research. Join me and Dr. Andrea Berardi as we explore floral coloration in two genera - Silene and Petunia. This episode was produced in part by Austin, Sarah, Ethan, Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda,

en-US

00:57:04

Ep. 527 - A Deep Dive on Medinilla

In Defense of Plants Podcast ·

2025/05/25

Understanding the relationships among plants can reveal so much about the history of our planet and the mechanisms of evolution. This is why Dr. Peter Quakenbush has spent so much time trying to understand the genus Medinilla. You might be most familiar with Medinilla magnifica as a popular houseplant, this it is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diversity of this genus. Join us for a deep dive into the amazing world of Medinilla diversity. This episode was produced in part by Austin,

en-US

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,

en-US

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

en-US

304 results

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