In Defense of Plants Podcast
Episodes
Ep. 276 - A Native Bee-nanza!
02 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With insects on the decline around the globe, the need for native bee understanding and appreciation has never been more apparent. While some native b...
Ep. 275 - Saving Sonora: The Green Desert
26 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The human population of the Sonoran Desert is growing quickly, developing the surrounding landscape at an alarming pace. At the same time, botanists a...
Ep. 274 - Hollow Trees = Habitat
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Move over raccoons and squirrels, hollow trees have some additional residents to support. Joining us on this episode are Dr.'s Lary Reeves and Andrei ...
Ep. 273 - Revolution in the Garden
12 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we are joined by Colah B. Tawkin, host of the incredible Black in the Garden, a podcast that "resides at the intersection of Black Cultur...
Ep. 272 - Restoring the American Chestnut
05 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the work being done by The American Chestnut Foundation and their partners to save the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) ...
Ep. 270 - A Native Plant Based Life
21 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about celebrating native plants both in the wild and in the garden. We are joined by environmentalist, author, and garden designer...
Ep. 269 - Cultivating Peace
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One cannot overstate the power of gardening to calm the mind, reinvigorate passion, and bring people together. Understanding and growing plants is one...
Ep. 268 - How Small Flies Made A Lot Of Orchids
07 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by PhD student Melissa Díaz-Morales and director of the Lankester Botanical Gardens Dr. Adam Karremans to look at how ...
Ep. 267 - Describing & Protecting Palm Diversity
31 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Historically speaking, palm taxonomy has been a bit tricky. This is due in large part by the difficulty in collecting and preparing proper specimens. ...
Ep. 266 - After the Blast: The Ecological Recovery of Mount St. Helens
24 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In May of 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, creating a path of destruction for hundreds of miles. No one thought life would return to that stretch of mo...
Ep. 266 - After the Blast: The Ecological Recovery of Mount St. Helens
24 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In May of 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, creating a path of destruction for hundreds of miles. No one thought life would return to that stretch of mo...
Ep. 265 - Ancient Trees: Living on the Edge
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to live many hundreds or even thousands of years? For trees, it often means growing in places like cliffs where few other things can...
Ep. 265 - Ancient Trees: Living on the Edge
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to live many hundreds or even thousands of years? For trees, it often means growing in places like cliffs where few other things can...
Ep. 264 - The Longleaf Alliance Speaks for the Trees
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Longleaf pines once covered 90 million acres of southeastern North America. Today, human development has seen that number reduced down to 3 million ac...
Ep. 264 - The Longleaf Alliance Speaks for the Trees
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Longleaf pines once covered 90 million acres of southeastern North America. Today, human development has seen that number reduced down to 3 million ac...
Ep. 263 - Earthworm Invaders
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are joined by director of The University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology, Dr. Lee Frelich to discuss an invasive species problem t...
Ep. 263 - Earthworm Invaders
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are joined by director of The University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology, Dr. Lee Frelich to discuss an invasive species problem t...
Ep. 262 - On the Origin & History of Field Guides
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we take an even closer look at the world of field guides with science historian Dr. Sara Scharf. Field guides began as a tool for botanists ...
Ep. 262 - On the Origin & History of Field Guides
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we take an even closer look at the world of field guides with science historian Dr. Sara Scharf. Field guides began as a tool for botanists ...
Ep. 261 - Talking About Field Guides With The Field Guides
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we take a step back for a fun conversation about field guides. Field guides are wonderful tools that help us identify the species with which we ...
Ep. 261 - Talking About Field Guides With The Field Guides
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we take a step back for a fun conversation about field guides. Field guides are wonderful tools that help us identify the species with which we ...
Ep. 260 - Hoya Hullabaloo!
12 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hoyas are a group of vines that are gaining a lot of popularity among houseplant growers in recent years but what are these plants exactly? Where do t...
Ep. 260 - Hoya Hullabaloo!
12 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hoyas are a group of vines that are gaining a lot of popularity among houseplant growers in recent years but what are these plants exactly? Where do t...
Ep. 259 - Micropropagating Orchids at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
05 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to go from orchid seed to orchid adult? Today you are going to find out. Joining us from the Atlanta Botanical Garden is Micropropag...
Ep. 259 - Micropropagating Orchids at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
05 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to go from orchid seed to orchid adult? Today you are going to find out. Joining us from the Atlanta Botanical Garden is Micropropag...
Ep. 258 - What It Takes to Save Plants
29 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From seed collection to restoring populations, this episode is all about what it takes to save rare plants from extinction. Joining us is Dr. Joyce Ma...
Ep. 258 - What It Takes to Save Plants
29 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From seed collection to restoring populations, this episode is all about what it takes to save rare plants from extinction. Joining us is Dr. Joyce Ma...
Ep. 257 - 'Cuz a Houseplant Party Don't Stop
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by the one and only Jane Perrone, houseplant guru and host of the wonderful On the Ledge podcast. Houseplants are such a wonderfu...
Ep. 257 - 'Cuz a Houseplant Party Don't Stop
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by the one and only Jane Perrone, houseplant guru and host of the wonderful On the Ledge podcast. Houseplants are such a wonderfu...
Ep. 256 - Spurge is the Word
15 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The sandmat spurges probably do not factor into the daily lives of most people. Yet, we walk over them, we trample them, we pull them from our lawns a...
Ep. 256 - Spurge is the Word
15 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The sandmat spurges probably do not factor into the daily lives of most people. Yet, we walk over them, we trample them, we pull them from our lawns a...
Ep. 255 - Wild Hydrangeas of the World
08 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The name "Hydrangea" most often conjures up images of medium sized shrubs adorned with pom poms of bright blue or pink flowers. Our exposure to this i...
Ep. 255 - Wild Hydrangeas of the World
08 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The name "Hydrangea" most often conjures up images of medium sized shrubs adorned with pom poms of bright blue or pink flowers. Our exposure to this i...
Ep. 254 - Native Plant Trust
01 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Native Plant Trust has one major goal in mind: conserving and promoting New England's native plants. Founded in 1900, Native Plant Trust is America's ...
Ep. 254 - Native Plant Trust
01 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Native Plant Trust has one major goal in mind: conserving and promoting New England's native plants. Founded in 1900, Native Plant Trust is America's ...
Ep. 253 - Earth's First Forests
24 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Devonian Period was for plants what the Cambrian Period was for animals. Land plants really started to experiment with new forms of growth some 38...
Ep. 253 - Earth's First Forests
24 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Devonian Period was for plants what the Cambrian Period was for animals. Land plants really started to experiment with new forms of growth some 38...
Ep. 252 - Plant Conservation at a Zoo
16 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A zoo getting involved in plant conservation? Sounds pretty radical but that is exactly what the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is doing. These efforts ...
Ep. 252 - Plant Conservation at a Zoo
16 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A zoo getting involved in plant conservation? Sounds pretty radical but that is exactly what the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is doing. These efforts ...
Ep. 251 - A Florida Moth Keeping Invasive Species in Check
09 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The movement of species around the globe is akin to opening Pandora's Box. Once an invasive species becomes established, it can be very difficult, if ...
Ep. 250 - Nature's Best Hope: a conversation with Dr. Doug Tallamy
02 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With his first book, "Bringing Nature Home," Dr. Doug Tallamy managed to distill decades worth of ecological science into a compelling story of the en...
Ep. 249 - Wetland Conservation and Restoration
26 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Wetlands have a disproportionate effect on a global scale. Whether you are concerned with habitat, wildlife, or human health, the world needs healthy,...
Ep. 248 - Namaqualand Succulents & Their Pollinators
19 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Florent Grenier fell in love with plants at an early age but it was a trip to South Africa as a teenager that change the course of his life forever. F...
Ep. 247 - The Stories That Tree Rings Can Tell
12 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Counting the rings of a tree can be so much fun. In the temperate zone, each ring marks a year in that tree's life. However, if you know what to look ...
Ep. 246 - Finding Meaning in Gardening
05 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For author, gardener, and landscape designer Georgina Reid, gardening is more than a hobby. It is a way of connecting with the natural world. Gardenin...
Ep. 245 - Branching Out Into Plant Podcasting
29 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today I sit down for a chat with fellow plant podcaster, Vanessa Fuchs. Vanessa is the host of The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney's award-winning podcast...
Ep. 244 - Ancient Homes in Fossil Leaves
22 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Plants and arthropods have a long evolutionary history that involves plenty of interaction. If you know where to look, evidence of such history can be...
Ep. 243 - Plant Exploration with Dan Hinkley
15 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For Author, Plant Collector, and lecturer Dan Hinkley, plants have been a lifelong obsession. Dan has spent the last few decades traveling the world i...
Ep. 242 - Digitizing a Herbarium for the World to Use
08 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Containing an estimated 1.4 million specimens that span nearly 250 years of botanical history, the National Herbarium of New South Wales is a treasure...
Ep. 241 - A Tiny Buckwheat & the Endangered Species Act
01 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tiehm’s buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii) is a rare wildflower endemic to only 21 acres of public land in the remote Silver Peak Range of Nevada. Out of...
Ep. 240 - Life in the Savage Garden
24 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What's not to love about carnivorous plants? From their bizarre looks to their insect-eating habits, carnivorous plants really break the mold on mains...
Ep. 239 - Getting Native Seeds to the People
17 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Fed up with disturbance creating corridors for non-native plant invasions onto their landscape, landowners in southern Texas teamed up with Texas A&am...
Ep. 238 - The Southeastern Grasslands Initiative
10 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Southeastern Grasslands Initiative is building a movement. Frustrated by the lack of protection and attention given to grasslands of southeastern Nort...
Ep. 237 - The Fall of the Torreya & What is Being Done to Save It
03 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
"Torreya was so common until it wasn't and then it started crashing like falling giants..." Within the span of a few decades, the torreya pine (Torrey...
Ep. 236 - Ferns & Lycophytes, Hybrids & Polyploids
27 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ferns and lycophytes are very special plants. Their origins date back hundreds of millions of years. Representatives of these two lineages can be foun...
Ep. 235 - Orchids at the Center of Cloud Forest Conservation in Ecuador
20 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When Lou Jost and friends realized how quickly the rainforests of Ecuador were disappearing they decided to do something about it. Thus Fundación Eco...
Ep. 234 - Mycorrhizal Fungi & Some Plants That Trick Them
13 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The relationship between plants and mycorrhizal fungi is often painted as a beautiful, altruistic relationship, the reality is far more complex than t...
Ep. 233 - Australia's Carnivorous Bounty
06 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by carnivorous plant expert and botanist extraordinaire, Greg Bourke. Greg is the Curator Manager of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydn...
Ep. 232 - The Plight of the Butternut
29 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The butternut or white walnut (Juglans cinerea) is a tree that is unknown to many. Ravaged by an invasive fungal blight, this wonderful tree is on the...
Ep. 231 - The Amber Time Capsule
22 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we get a look back in deep time with the help of the amber time capsule. Amber will be most familiar both for its use in jewelry but also for it...
Ep. 230 - Cryogenic Conservation
15 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Seed banking is an extremely important component of plant conservation but what do you do with seeds that don't store well? A considerable number of p...
Ep. 229 - Compositae Cliffhangers
08 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a real cliffhanger because we are delving into the wild world of rock daisies in the tribe Perityleae. These obscure composites live a...
Ep. 228 - Plant Conservation in Action
01 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
No one has a monopoly on conservation. If we want to protect wild spaces and the species they support, we need multifaceted, collaborative approaches....
Ep. 227 - A Quest to Find the "Stinking Cedar"
25 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we go in search of the so-called stinking cedar or torreya pine (Torreya taxifolia) at wonderful site owned and operated by The Nature Conservan...
Ep. 226 - Cities Need Trees
18 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today may just have the coolest job in the world. Dr. Jessica Turner-Skoff is Morton Arboretum's official Treeologist which means she gets to...
Ep. 225 - Resurrecting a Ghost: The Mission to Save the Ozark Chinquapin Pt. 2
11 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive deeper into what is being done to bring the Ozark Chinquapin back from the brink of extinction. The Ozark Chinquapin (Castane...
Ep. 224 - Resurrecting a Ghost: The Mission to Save the Ozark Chinquapin Pt. 1
04 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Ozark Chinquapin (Castanea ozarkensis) is a tree on the brink of extinction. Like its more popular cousin, the American chestnut, the Ozark Chinqu...
Ep. 223 - The Magnificence of Milkweeds
28 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of milkweeds. The genus Asclepias has been made famous due to the plight of the monarch butterfly,...
Ep. 222 - Celebrating Botanical Nerdom
21 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is head over heels for plants and wants to do everything she can to get more people on board the botany train. Sandy Masuo is an author...
Ep. 221 - Galls Gone Wild!
14 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Galls are everywhere once you start to look for them. These often elaborate plant growths are induced by a variety of organisms from insects to fungi ...
Ep. 220 - The Sex Lives of Yuccas
07 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Yuccas are cool plants just based on appearances but their pollination ecology is downright fascinating. All members of the genus Yucca rely on moths ...
Ep. 219 - Conifer Country
30 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we celebrate conifers with educator, author, and ecologist, Michael Kauffmann. Michael fell in love with conifers early on and has been doing ev...
Ep. 218 - The Cactoblastis Conundrum
23 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are talking about an invasive species issue that may spell disaster for some cacti in North America. The cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) ...
Ep. 217 - The Plight of Peyote
16 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Peyote or Lophophora williamsii is a small, spineless cactus native to southern North America. Thanks to some very potent alkaloids in its tissues, pe...
Ep. 216 - Dying Bees, Wasp Venom, and other Strange Floral Scents
09 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we focus on a group of plants whose floral morphology and chemistry are sure to blow your mind. Join Dr. Anne Heiduk and me as we discuss the bi...
Ep. 215 - Public Gardens & Native Plants
02 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today is all about a very special garden at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. This garden was designed with many uses in mind and it i...
Ep. 214 - Unraveling the Mysteries of Baja's Botanical Bounty: A Conservation Story
26 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Baja Peninsula is home to a bewildering diversity of plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Despite all of its botanica...
Ep. 213 - Buzzing Bees and the Floral Microbiome
19 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We tend to view pollination as an altruistic blending of plant and animal behavior but altruistic it is not. Both plants and their pollinators are try...
Ep. 212 - Monkeyflower Extravaganza!
12 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When Dr. Naomi Fraga started volunteering at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden herbarium, little did she know it would evolve into a total love affa...
Ep. 211 - The Botanical Treasures of Steppes
05 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For Mike Bone, propagating and growing plants is not just a hobby or a job, it's a way of life. Mike is the curator of the steppe collections at the D...
Ep. 210 - Pitcher Plants: A World Unto Themselves
28 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are taking a deep dive into the world of pitcher plant ecology, evolution, and conservation. Joining us from the Atlanta Botanical ...
Ep. 209 - Invasion of the Cattails
21 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What wetland scene would be complete without a few cattails? The genus Typha is synonymous with wetlands yet as you will hear in this episode, we know...
Ep. 208 - Saving Florida's Native Plants
14 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
"Protecting species takes a village" says Juliet Rynear, executive director of the Florida Native Plant Society. This wonderful organization not only ...
Ep. 207 - Into the Rooting Zone: Why Soil Carbon Matters
07 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Grab your shovels because today we are heading underground to talk about soils. Joining us on this adventure is my friend and labmate Ron Salemme. Ron...
Ep. 206 - Lovely Louisiana Botany
31 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Join the wonderful Sara Johnson and me as we reminisce about our recent botanical adventures in Louisiana. Inspired by the possibility of meeting one ...
Ep. 205 - Mad About Manzanitas
24 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are taking a deeper look at the most diverse woody plant lineage in western North America. I am of course talking about the manzanitas (Arcto...
Ep. 204 - Asteraceae Addiction
17 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Aster family has nearly conquered the planet. It is one of the most diverse plant lineages on Earth and yet so many of us just pass them by withou...
Ep. 203 - Oaks: Insights into Evolution & Ecology
10 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Oaks are some of the most charismatic trees on the planet. They are also major players in the biosphere when it comes to their ecological impact. They...
Ep. 202 - Getting to the Root of Roots
03 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There is no denying that roots are one of the most important organs on a plant. However, unless its an epiphyte, root activity takes place underground...
Ep. 201 - Plants of the Caribbean
24 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When we think about the Caribbean, our minds often drift to sandy beaches, clear water, and corals. But what about plants? The Caribbean is home to an...
Ep. 200 - Books, Books, and More Books!
17 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week In Defense of Plants is celebrating its 200th episode with a bunch of book recommendations. I get a lot of emails from listeners each week a...
Ep. 199 - Understanding Rainforests Through Evolution
10 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we take a look at how understanding the evolution of various plant families provides us with insights into the history and diversity of some of ...
Ep. 198 - The State of the World's Trees
03 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Assessing the status of all known tree species may seem like a monumental task and in many ways it is. However, that is exactly what a team of conserv...
Ep. 197 - Below the Surface of Aquascaping
27 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The world of aquatic plants is incredibly diverse, yet our ties to land make it difficult to fully appreciate these organisms. Their glory and splendo...
Ep. 196 - Agave are Awesome!
20 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today was bitten by the Agave bug at an early age. Since then, Dr. Jeff Lake has amassed an impressive collection representing over 100 diffe...
Ep. 195 - Chollas, Prickly Pears, and Biodiversity
13 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When Dr. Jon Rebman decided to take on the diversity of cholla cacti, little did he know what he was getting into. Luckily, this work led him down a r...
Ep. 194 - Preserving the Prairie One Seed at a Time
06 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Handel grew up in Illinois and has seen a lot change since his childhood days. Ever since he was a boy, Bill delighted in gardening with native p...
Ep. 193 - Begonias!
30 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What most of the world knows about the genus Begonia is only the tip of this botanical iceberg. The genus Begonia is currently the fastest growing gen...
Ep. 192 - Australia's Alpine Flora
23 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are talking about Australia's alpine flora. My guest is PhD student Casey Gibson who is studying the many ways in which climate change is inf...
Ep. 191 - The Changing Forests of the Andes
16 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to our understanding of plants and climate change, the tropics are still a great unknown. However, the data we do have is telling us tha...