In Defense of Plants Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 80 - Lichens and Their Conservation Oct 30, 2016

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Lichens are everywhere and we hardly ever notice them. Aside from their beauty and interesting symbiotic relationships, lichens are also crucial components of their environment. Today we are joined by Jessica Allen, a PhD student who is devoting her career to understanding and preserving these wonderful organisms. Please join us for a fascinating discussion about the world of lichens. This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, Bryan, Laura, Margie, and Allan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 79 - A Lifetime With Orchids Oct 23, 2016

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Today we are joined by Tom Mirenda. Tom has the unique position of Orchid Collections Specialist for the Smithsonian Institute. At somewhere around 8,000 plants, this is no small task. He has spent his life loving and caring for orchids and when he is not doing that, he is busy lecturing and writing about them. This is a wonderful case in which a passionate hobby has turned into an illustrious career centered around these incredible organisms. This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, Bryan, Laura, Margie, and Allan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 78 - A Focus On Native Bees Oct 16, 2016

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North America is home to a plethora of native bees. Sadly, they are a bit of a mystery. Overshadowed by non-native honey bees, many of our native species are in serious trouble. That is where scientists like Dr. Alexandra Harmon-Threatt come in. An assistant professor of entomology at the University of Illinois, her lab is focused on the interactions between native bees and the surrounding plant communities. This is a fascinating discussion that will hopefully inspire more people to dive into the shadows surrounding these important players in our local ecology. This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, Bryan, Laura, Margie, and Allan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 77 - Native Plants and the Human Environment - A Landscape Architect's Perspective Oct 09, 2016

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Landscape architects have a unique position. They get to decide the way in which we utilize different plant species in the human environment. The push for using native plants has never been greater and rightly so. Native plants are the cornerstone of a healthy ecosystem. That is where people like Bridgette Moen come in. Bridgette is a landscape architect who has realized the importance of creating more sustainable landscapes that rely on native plants to tie everything together. In a sea of concrete, such landscapes are often the only viable habitat around. Join us for a fascinating dive into the world of a landscape architect that is pushing for more native plants. This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, Bryan, Margie, and Laura. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 76 - Broomrapes: A Celebration of an Interesting Family of Parasitic Plants Oct 02, 2016

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Parasites have earned themselves a bad reputation in our society. We often see them as nauseating freeloaders. This could not be farther from the truth. More and more we are starting to realize just how important parasites are in any given ecosystem. Not only do they promote and maintain biodiversity, they also serve as vital indicators of ecosystem health. My guest today is Brandi Cannon, a masters student at Columbia University. Brandi is busy focusing her education on understanding and conserving an endangered parasitic plant known scientifically as Schwalbea americana. Along the way we get a nice introduction to the broomrape family as well as gain a greater appreciation for the importance of parasitic plants. This episode is produced in part by Gregory, Mark, Bryan, Wonja, Margie, and Laura. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 75 - The Question Show! Sep 25, 2016

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It's here! The long awaited question show has arrived. Over the last few weeks listeners have been submitting their botanical questions for me to answer. I got some great questions and it was really fun doing the research in hope of providing satisfactory answers. I cover a lot of cool topics from leaf color to carnivorous plants and even some phylogenetics. This was a really fun episode to record. I learned a lot in the process and I hope you will too! This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, Bryan, and Laura. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 74 - Plants That Eat Animals: A Conversation With The Carnivore Girl Sep 18, 2016

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While looking for a unique and interesting photography subject, Maria Fulmer set her sights on a Venus fly trap. From that artistic exploration The Carnivore Girl was born. It isn't hard to get bit by the carnivorous plant bug. However, an unfortunate majority of folks who attempt to grow these plants are met with failure. Growing carnivorous plants takes a bit of learning but once your bases are covered, you can sit back and enjoy some of the most unique organisms on the planet. From the world famous Venus fly trap to the bizarre pitcher plants of Australia, the carnivorous plant hobby has something for everyone. The Carnivore Girl celebrates all aspects of this hobby all the while working hard at delivering easy to digest, accurate information on how to keep your plants alive. Join me for a fun and interesting conversation centered around our mutual appreciation for these animal eating plants. This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, Bryan, and Laura. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 73- On Milkweeds and Monarchs: The Search for a Smoking Gun Sep 11, 2016

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Monarchs have become the poster child for protecting, conserving, and restoring native flora. Over the last decade monarchs have witnessed massive declines in their numbers. This has led to a lot of speculation as to what might be causing such declines. It seems like a simple black and white issue, monarchs need milkweed and we have plowed over most of the milkweed on this continent. As straight forward as this may seem, students of ecology will note that nothing in nature is that simple. Monarch and milkweed conservation is a complex issue with a lot of causes and that is where people like Dr. Greg Spyreas come in. Using large scale datasets, Greg and his colleagues are painting a more nuanced picture of milkweed and monarch decline. It is an interesting story that you don't want to miss. This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, and Bryan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 72 - In Search of a Peculiar Parasitic Orchid Sep 05, 2016

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This week we go in search of an interesting little parasite. Known scientifically as Corallorhiza odontorhiza, the autumn coralroot orchid haunts the forest floor throughout much of eastern North America. Despite this wide distribution, it is never very common and finding it can be quite a challenge. Not only is it small, it seamlessly blends into the background of forest debris. Join me as I brave hoards of mosquitoes in search of this little plant. Along the way we will meet lots of great species. This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, and Bryan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 71 - Nepenthes and Other Botanical Treasures with Stewart McPherson Aug 28, 2016

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Getting bit by the carnivorous plant bug can lead to a lifelong obsession with these botanical wonders. That is exactly what has happened to Stewart McPherson. He has dedicated his life to finding, photographing, and naming these amazing organisms. He is especially fond of the tropical pitcher plants in the genus Nepenthes. Over the last decade Stewart has explored some of the most remote corners of the globe in search of these plants. During this time he has managed to climb over 300 tropical mountains and has set foot on some of the most remote islands on the planet. With his company Redfern Expeditions, McPherson also offers plant enthusiasts the opportunity to see many of these plants for themselves. With a resume that includes 25 books, countless photos, a handful of documentaries, and the discovery of 35 new species, it is a real honor to have him on the podcast. Please join us for a fascinating conversation of world exploration, all of which centers around carnivorous plants. This episode was produced in part by Gregory, Mark, and Bryan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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