In Defense of Plants Podcast

Habitat destruction is the leading cause of extinction on this planet. Plants = Habitat. There is no way around it. We revisit a conversation I had with Pierson Hill, a biologist at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in Florida. Pierson and his colleagues are working hard at bringing the endangered flatwoods salamander back from the brink of extinction. To do so, they must first restore the...

Edge of range dynamics are always fascinating. Range edges present lots of unique challenges for which plants must contend. When you throw humans into the mix, those challenges often become far more extreme. Join me and plant ecologist Sara Johnson as we look at a system involving hydrology, road salt, and the ever charismatic white cedar or arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis). This episode was produc...

This episode, we revisit a conversation I had with University of Vienna PhD student Florian Etl regarding an in depth look at a pollination system involving some of our most beloved houseplants. Florian focuses on genera like Philodendron, Anthurium, Dieffenbachia, and Spathiphyllum to shine light on how the plants manage to reproduce in the hyper diverse rainforests of Costa Rica. This is not eas...

Extinction due to human activity is a terrible thing, but every once in a while, a species thought to be extinct is rediscovered. If we are extremely lucky, small populations still exist in the wild. If we are less lucky, only a single individual remains. Join me and NatureServe botanist Wes Knapp as we discuss the rediscovery of Quercus tardifolia and the idea of extinction gardens. This episode...

What is American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and why is it becoming increasingly rare in North American forests. In this episode, we revisit a conversation I had back in 2015 with Dave DeViney, a scientist deeply passionate about this plant. As you will hear, despite being highly valued in the herbal trade, surprisingly little is known about this plant an its ecology. This episode was produced i...

Can we grow plants in moon soil or regolith? If so, how are they going to respond? These are the kinds of questions Dr. Robert Ferl and his colleagues set out to answer in their latest experiment. Tune in and learn how an emergency rover repair during the last Apollo mission and over a decade of patience and planning have now provided answers as well as generated even more fascinating questions to...

This week, we revisit a conversation I had with Lou Jost, founder of Fundación EcoMinga back in 2019. When Lou Jost and friends realized how quickly the rainforests of Ecuador were disappearing they decided to do something about it. Thus, Fundación EcoMinga was born. Since 2006, Lou and his team have managed to establish seven reserves covering all elevations from 1100m to 3860m. Along the way the...

The Dracula Reserve in Ecuador was formed with orchids at the center of its focus but it is home to untold numbers of species. New discoveries are made every year, which further emphasizes this region as a biodiversity hotspot for the planet. Sadly, both legal and illegal gold mining operations threaten the future of this reserve and all the organisms and people that call it home. Join me and EcoM...

The whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is a cornerstone of the ecology of western North America. Whether its their direct interactions with animals like the Clark's nutcracker or their indirect influences on snowpack and hydrology, the loss of these trees would be devastating. Sadly, the whitebark pine is facing many threats. Joining us to talk about these threats and what is being done to curb som...

Azaleas are beloved by many yet countless mysteries remain about the ecologies of various species. For instance, who are their main pollinators? Are they the same or different across azalea species? And, what do swallowtail butterfly wings have to do with azalea reproduction? These kinds of questions and more are what drives the research interests of Dr. Mary Jane Epps. Join us as we discuss the w...

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...

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 mi...

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 extrem...

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, Elizabet...

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,...

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. Eith...

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. P...

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...

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 a...

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...

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, Chell...

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 a...

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, Andr...

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 u...

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...