In Defense of Plants Podcast
334 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.1K ratingsPlants 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.
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Episodes
Ep. 470 - Rethinking Water Lettuce
April 21, 2024 18:04 - 51 minutes - 96.3 MBWater lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) has long been maligned for its invasive tendencies. This floating aquatic aroid grows fast and responds well to poor water quality, and because of this, states like Florida spend lots of time and money on trying to eradicate it. However, a combination of fossil end recent genetic evidence suggests that we should rethink our approach to water lettuce in Florida. Join me and Dr. Jason Evans as we discuss how data tell a different story that suggests at least s...
Ep. 469 - Blue Butterworts & Friends
April 14, 2024 14:52 - 42 minutes - 83.5 MBThe Southeast is one of North America's biodiversity hotspots. Any trip through this region will be rewarded with lots of botanical splendor if you know where to look. Join Conservation Biologist Sara Johnson and me as we reminisce about a recent botanical excursion and learn about a fraction of the botanical diversity we met along the way. This episode was produced in part by Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea...
Ep. 468 - Plants, Structure, and Habitat
April 07, 2024 17:05 - 41 minutes - 78.1 MBI have said it before, and I will say it again: plants ARE habitat. Nowhere is this fact more apparent than in the field of wildlife ecology. From food to shelter, one simply can't understand the innerworkings of nature without understanding plants. Join me and Wildlife Ecologist Dr. Chris Moorman as we look at why plants are so important to conservation efforts. This episode was produced in part by Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, H...
Ep. 467 - Roots & the Struggle for Nutrients
March 31, 2024 15:36 - 55 minutes - 106 MBCompetition for nutrients is a major driver of plant evolution, especially in nutrient-poor soils. As such, plants have evolved myriad ways of getting a "root up" on the competition. Dr. Jim Dalling joins us to discuss two recent discoveries related to two species with distinct and incredible root adaptations aimed at maximizing nutrient capture in highly competitive tropical ecosystems. This episode was produced in part by Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Hei...
Ep. 466 - Fire in the Mountains
March 24, 2024 20:51 - 48 minutes - 94.6 MBThe Appalachian region may not readily seem like a fire-prone region, but parts of it certainly are. Fire can be an important tool in sustaining biodiversity, but modern understanding of its role is limited. That is why people like Dr. Don Hagan study the effects of prescribed fire in the Appalachian Mountains and beyond. Join me and Dr. Hagan as we explore fire as a tool for ecosystem restoration and find our just how much we still have to learn. This episode was produced in part by Cathy, ...
Ep. 465 - Studying Ancient Wildfires
March 17, 2024 14:22 - 52 minutes - 92 MBWildfires are familiar to those living on Earth today, but what about in the past? How does one go about studying ancient wildfires through deep time? Some of the answers lie in coal deposits. Join me and Dr. Ian Glasspool as we explore how he studies wildfire events dating back hundreds of millions of years and marvel at the amazing stories his data are able to tell! This episode was produced in part by Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, S...
Ep. 464 - Back from the Brink
March 10, 2024 23:02 - 53 minutes - 103 MBGood news is hard to come by in the world of plant conservation, but it is out there! Take, for instance, some recent examples on Santa Cruz Island in which the recovery of a handful of endangered plants, including island bedstraw (Galium buxifolium) and Santa Cruz Island Dudleya (Dudleya nesiotica), has been so successful, they have been delisted. That doesn't mean conservationists no longer have to worry. Join me and John Knapp from The Nature Conservancy as we explore the ins and outs of ...
Ep. 463 - Digitizing an Extinct Tree
March 03, 2024 22:38 - 38 minutes - 75.6 MBHow does one breath life into an extinct tree only known from fossils? There are a lot of answers to this question, but my guest today decided to go digital. Tim Stonesifer is the Assistant Director for Media Technology at Colby College and the person responsible for creating the 3D reconstruction of Sanfordiacaulis densifolia that was discovered by Dr. Gastaldo and colleagues (Ep. 462). Join us as we explore his process and what it was like to take a dive into paleobotanical reconstructions...
Ep. 462 - Resurrecting an Ancient Toilet Brush Tree
February 25, 2024 17:10 - 55 minutes - 98.8 MBFossil hunting is like playing the lottery, your odds of hitting big are infinitesimal, but it can happen. Such was the case for Dr. Bob Gastaldo and colleagues when they unearthed the remains of Sanfordiacaulis densifolia, an extinct tree from the Carboniferous Period unlike anything we have ever seen. Join me and Dr. Gastaldo as we take a deep dive into why this tree is so strange and what it can tell us about an ancient ecology. This episode was produced in part by Cathy, Simon, Nick, Pau...
Ep. 461 - Litter Trappers Revisited
February 18, 2024 16:44 - 42 minutes - 80.8 MBLitter trapping plants don't worry about soil, they make their own! Because so many species in the tropics grow either epiphytically or in nutrient poor soil, some of them have turned to alternative solutions. Their anatomy is such that they collect everything from dead leaves to bird droppings. A diverse community of soil microbes and invertebrates can then go to work to create nutrient rich humus. What's more, litter trapping abilities can be found in plants as distantly related as ferns a...
Ep. 460 - Floral Chemistry Revisited
February 11, 2024 17:05 - 1 hour - 114 MBFor Dr. Rob Raguso, the phrase "stop and smell the roses" takes on a whole new meaning. Dr. Raguso studies the intricate world of floral chemistry. You are undoubtedly familiar with some of the wonderful odors flowers produce but such tantalizing smells are only the beginning. The world of floral chemistry is quite remarkable and the function of the myriad substances they produce go much deeper than simply pollination. We revisit a conversation that will put a whole new spin on your apprecia...
Ep. 459 - Pigments & Plant Stress
February 04, 2024 20:29 - 40 minutes - 79.7 MBPlant pigments certainly catch the eyes of many organisms, but they serve many important functions beyond simple attraction. For instance, plant pigments can play a huge role in managing stressors like heat, sunlight, and more. Join me and Dr. Niky Hughes as we explore one of the most abundant and important types of plant pigments - anthocyanins - and learn how they not only vary in appearance but also in functional benefit. This episode was produced in part by Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, ...
Ep. 458 - Plant Stress
January 28, 2024 16:44 - 52 minutes - 104 MBPlant stress starts at the molecular level but can influence entire ecosystems. That is why questions about drought, heat, and climate change fuel Dr. Lou Santiago's research. Join us as we explore the ins and outs of studying plant stress in different ecosystems. This episode was produced in part by Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi...
Ep. 457 - The Wild World of Wet Plants
January 21, 2024 15:49 - 1 hour - 120 MBPlants obviously need water to survive, but how do they interact with water in a more physical sense? How plants like trees capture and distribute precipitation can have massive consequences for ecosystem and societal processes. From soil formation to stormwater management, understanding wet plants is very important. Join me and Dr. John Van Stan as we explore how his lab is tackling the complex dynamics of wet plants and learn how varied disciplines play a role in such investigations. This ...
Ep. 456 - Cattail Invasion Revisited
January 14, 2024 19:58 - 56 minutes - 95.9 MBWhat 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 so little about them. Joining us is Dr. Pam Geddes from Northeastern Illinois University to talk to us about her work on cattail invasion ecology. What started as a question about ecosystem function and monocultures has morphed into an exploration that involves asking questions like "how do we define a species?" Settle in and learn as we revis...
Ep. 455 - The Many Mysteries of Seed Dormancy
January 07, 2024 19:52 - 1 hour - 130 MBWe take seeds for granted, yet still have much to learn about how they work. What factors play in to seed dormancy? How long can some seeds remain dormant? What cues are required to break dormancy? All these questions and more drive Dr. Grace Fleming's research. Join us as we explore how molecular processes involving mRNA play a role in the mysterious world of seeds. This episode was produced in part by EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, W...
Ep. 454 - An Orchid that Smells Like Aphids Revisited
December 31, 2023 18:58 - 16 minutes - 30.5 MBMy guest today is Melissa Díaz-Morales from the Jardín Botánico Lankester in Costa Rica and her work focuses on orchid pollination. Orchids are known for their deceitful pollination syndromes and Melissa has spent the last few years working on a lady slipper orchid known as Phragmipedium longifolium. This flowers of this beautiful orchid appear to be mimicking aphid infestations. Why is that? Listen and find out ;) This episode was produced in part by Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke...
Ep. 453 - Small Flies & Orchid Diversity Revisited
December 24, 2023 17:42 - 49 minutes - 89.8 MBWe revisit a conversation with PhD student Melissa Díaz-Morales and Director of the Lankester Botanical Gardens, Dr. Adam Karremans to look at how flies have managed to influence the evolution of the largest subtribe of orchids in the world - the pleurothallids. This remarkable group of orchids is home to over 5,000 unique species and presents some of the most stunning and complex floral morphology of the entire orchid family. They also undergo some serious chemical ecology that helps attrac...
Ep. 452 - The Many Mysteries of Orchid Pollination
December 17, 2023 17:05 - 52 minutes - 101 MBKnowing what we don't know can be as important as knowing what we do. Even highly charismatic plants like orchids harbor many mysteries in need of investigation. Join me and Dr. Adam Karrenmans as we discuss his new book "Demystifying Orchid Pollination" and learn why paying attention to nature at all scales can provide valuable insights into biodiversity and conservation. This episode was produced in part by Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverl...
Ep. 451 - Darwin & the Art of Botany
December 10, 2023 19:23 - 1 hour - 116 MBMany of us are familiar with Darwin's finches and the impact animals made on his work, but what about his obsession with plants? Indeed, plants were an instrumental part of Darwin's life, helping him understand how organisms adapt and evolve. Darwin's relationship with plants are the subject of a beautifully illustrated new book "Darwin and the Art of Botany." With the help of Oak Spring Garden Foundation, authors Dr. James Costa and Bobbie Angell explore Darwin's botanical investigations wi...
Ep. 450 - Canopy Life in the World's Tallest Trees
December 03, 2023 17:07 - 106 MBRedwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) can grow so big and gnarly that their canopies support entire ecosystems. From lichens and liverworts, to ericaceous shrubs, these ecological communities are very important to the biodiversity of redwood habitat. However, not all redwoods have what it takes to provide habitat for these organisms. Join me and Marie Antoine as we explore the ins and outs of redwood canopy biodiversity and learn what can be done to ensure they can support biodiversity well into t...
Ep. 449 - Aquascaping Revisited
November 26, 2023 18:22 - 47 minutes - 86.6 MBThe world of aquatic plants is incredibly diverse, yet our ties to land make it difficult to fully appreciate these organisms. Their glory and splendor is best observed in their underwater realm. This is why aquascaping is such an incredible hobby. Planted aquariums provide you with a unique view of the underwater world without ever having to get your feet wet. Whether you simply like to look at planted aquariums or get your hands wet in designing and constructing your own, there is no end t...
Ep. 448 - Why Fish Need Plants
November 19, 2023 17:47 - 1 hour - 120 MBIt may not seem obvious at first, but fish need plants too! From aquatic to terrestrial, plants provide fish places to breed, places to eat, and places to hide. Plants filter water and prevent erosion, ensuring fish have suitable habitat. Plants also feed the organisms that fish love to eat. Simply put, you can't protect fish without protecting and restoring native plant communities. No one knows this better than the folks over at Conversation Fisheries. Join me and Conservation Biologist Ev...
Ep. 447 - Black Belt Biodiversity
November 12, 2023 19:13 - 50 minutes - 99.7 MBThe black belt prairie is a crescent-shaped grassland ecosystem curving through Mississippi and Alabama that supports high biodiversity. Sadly, like grasslands across the globe, the black belt prairie ecosystem continues to be carved up into increasingly smaller chunks of habitat. What is left often suffers from degradation due to a lack of life-giving fires. Understanding what remains in these habitats and how ecological restoration efforts can bring back some of what has been lost is of ut...
Ep. 446 - Bats: Friends of Plants
November 05, 2023 20:30 - 44 minutes - 82 MBBats and plants rely on each other more than we know. From pollination and seed dispersal, to pest control and unexpected relationships, Dr. Merlin Tuttle wants you to know just how important bats are across the globe. Dr. Merlin Tuttle is widely recognized as the godfather of modern bat conservation and is the founder of Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation. Join us as we take a dive into the amazing world of bat/plant interactions and learn what you can do to help! This episode was produced in...
Ep. 445 - Mountain Longleaf
October 29, 2023 14:48 - 42 minutes - 79.1 MBLongleaf pine (Pinus palustris) is a remarkable species that defines much of the Southeastern Coastal Plain of North America. However, this species isn't restricted to coastal habitats. In a small portion of its range, longleaf pines make it into more mountainous habitats. So-called mountain longleaf pines represent an increasingly rare habitat type and understanding how to restore them is vital for all the species these forests support. Join me and Dr. Matt Weand as we look at the science b...
Ep. 444 - Steppe Plants Revisited
October 22, 2023 22:01 - 51 minutes - 91.9 MBFor 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 Denver Botanic Gardens and his love affair with these plants rings true in everything he does. Steppes are important ecosystems, both ecological and culturally and yet they are all too often overlooked. As you will hear, Mike's work is about more than just putting pretty plants on display. It is also about conservation and education. Mike's pass...
Ep. 443 - Flowers & Fire
October 15, 2023 16:39 - 50 minutes - 100 MBGrasslands and fire are essentially inseparable. For the most part, grassland can't exist without periodic burns. But, are the beneficial effects of fire the same for all plants? How do the effects of fire change across scales? These are the kinds of questions Dr. Jared Beck and his colleagues are trying to answer. Join us for a species-eye view of the role of fire in grassland habitats. This episode was produced in part by Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Br...
Ep. 442 - Of Wolves & Forests
October 08, 2023 21:02 - 46 minutes - 89.5 MBPredators like wolves are an integral part of ecosystem health. Moreover, their interactions with their herbivore prey can have major consequences on plant communities. Join me and Dr. Sarah Hoy as we discuss decades worth of data on wolf-moose-plant interactions on Isle Royale and learn how wolves can even impact plant chemistry. This episode was produced in part by Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo,...
Ep. 441 - Seed Acceleration
October 01, 2023 14:29 - 42 minutes - 80.4 MBWhat do witch hazel seeds and a speeding bullet have in common? Acceleration! Join me and Justin Jorge as we explore the ecomechanics of seed dispersal in Loropetalum chinense, Hamamelis virginiana and Fortunearia sinensis. This episode was produced in part by Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi, Caelan, Tom, Don, Susan, Corbin, Keena, Robin, Peter, Whitney, Kenned, Margaret...
Ep. 440 - Plants, Bees, and the Microbes They Share
September 24, 2023 21:25 - 1 hour - 117 MBBesides pollination, what do flowers and bees have in common? Microbes, of course! From mutualists to pathogens and everything in between, Dr. Quinn McFrederick wants to know how plants, bees, and microbes interact. Join us for a deep dive into our growing understanding of these important relationships. This episode was produced in part by Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi...
Ep. 439 - Inside the Illicit Succulent Trade
September 17, 2023 21:54 - 53 minutes - 109 MBSucculent poaching is a global black market business. The demand for succulents of all kinds is putting undue pressure of myriad species, many of which are on the brink of extinction. Join me and Dr. Jared Margulies as we talk about his new book "The Cactus Hunters: Desire and Extinction in the Illicit Succulent Trade" and learn how he followed the threads of the illicit succulent trade to understand why poaching happens and how we can aim to stop at least some of it. This episode was produc...
Ep. 438 - Dinosaurs & Plants Revisited
September 10, 2023 19:10 - 36 minutes - 56.4 MBWho hasn't marveled at the fossilized remains of a dinosaur? Though their lineage lives on today in the form of birds, historically, dinosaurs were once far more diverse. Needless to say, they shaped the world around them just as much as the world shaped them, and this certainly included interactions with plants. Plant eating dinosaurs were some of the largest organisms to ever walk this earth and my guest today studies exactly that. We revisit a conversation with the Natural History Museum ...
Ep. 437 - Save the Shoal Lily
September 03, 2023 15:32 - 42 minutes - 79.1 MBThe shoal lily (Hymenocallis coronaria) is a truly special plant. It is found in only a few rivers throughout southeastern North America where it will only grow in rocky shoals. It makes its living by wedging its bulb and contractile roots into rock crevices where clean, swift moving water washes over submerged bedrock. Sadly, wanton destruction of its freshwater habitats have caused severe decline in shoal lily numbers. Natalie Downy and her team at Chattahoochee River Conservancy are tryin...
Ep. 436 - Red Spruce Restoration
August 27, 2023 16:54 - 53 minutes - 104 MBPlants are habitat! This means that to restore ecosystems, we would be wise to start with plants. Such is the case for the spruce-fir forests of southern Appalachia, which are among the rarest habitat types on the continent. Join me and Kelly Holdbrooks of the Southern Highlands Reserve as we explore their collaborative efforts to get red spruce (Picea rubens) back on the landscape with the aim of restoring this important forest ecosystem. This episode was produced in part by Sea, Shannon, T...
Ep. 435 - Chara Revisited
August 20, 2023 18:44 - 40 minutes - 57.5 MBChara represent the earliest stages of true plant evolution. They are also model organisms for a wide variety of research questions. Join me as we revisit an intriguing discussion with Dr. Mary Bisson from the University at Buffalo. This episode was produced in part by Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi, Caelan, Tom, Don, Susan, Corbin, Keena, Robin, Peter, Whitney, Kenned, Margaret, Daniel, Kar...
Ep. 434 - Moths are Important Pollinators
August 13, 2023 15:31 - 48 minutes - 84.9 MBThis episode celebrates moths as pollinators. We ignore or even malign moths at our own peril. Dr. Stephen Robertson joins us to talk about how even crop pests can act as important pollinators. From their bewildering numbers to the ways they interact with daytime pollinators, Dr. Robertson will open your mind to the amazing and understudied world of moth pollination. This episode was produced in part by Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherin...
Ep. 433 - What Drives Orchid Diversity?
August 06, 2023 15:36 - 37 minutes - 69.5 MBWhat drives orchid evolution? Why are places like Colombia so rich in orchid diversity? What constitutes a species across different orchid genera? Questions like these are what drive Dr. Tatiana Arias' research. Join us as we explore how she is attempting to tackle said questions and more. This episode was produced in part by Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi, Caelan, Tom, Don, Susan, Corbin, K...
Ep. 432 - The Importance of Seagrass
July 30, 2023 20:30 - 52 minutes - 99.1 MBWith approximately 60 species spread across four families, seagrasses are a wonderfully diverse group of marine aquatic plants. They are also extremely important both ecologically and economically. From supporting massive fisheries and reducing erosion to sequestering massive quantities of greenhouse gases, simply put, we can't overemphasize the importance of seagrasses across the globe. Unfortunately, our species hasn't treated seagrasses and the habitats they create very well. Seagrasses a...
Ep. 431 - The Mysteries of Lycopod Evolution
July 23, 2023 15:42 - 59 minutes - 110 MBLycopods and their relatives enjoy a nearly global distribution today, but extant diversity is still a mere shadow of what it once was. My guest today is Paleobotanist Meg Nibbelink and she is working to understand just how much this charismatic group of plants has changed over their long history on this planet. Join us for a fun and interesting conversation hundreds of millions of years in the making. This episode was produced in part by Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Ka...
Ep. 430 - Seedlings in the Mycorrhizal Network
July 16, 2023 19:11 - 1 hour - 127 MBWhat affects mycorrhizal communities? How do these communities influence trees and their seedlings? Do the relationships differ between angiosperms and gymnosperms? Where do we draw the line between science and conjecture? These questions and more are what drive Dr. Justine Karst's research. Join us as we explore what we do and do not know about common mycorrhizal networks.This episode was produced in part by Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily...
Ep. 429 - Ancient Leaf Homes Revisited
July 09, 2023 16:12 - 50 minutes - 95 MBPlants and arthropods have a long evolutionary history that involves plenty of interaction. If you know where to look, evidence of such history can be found in fossil plant remains. We revisit a discussion with Dr. Gussie Maccracken who discovered the oldest remains of one of the most common, yet poorly understood plant/animal mutualisms on our planet. Did you know that many flowering plants produce tiny homes in their leaves for mites? They do, and it looks like this relationship is very ol...
Ep. 428 - Bama Flora
July 02, 2023 16:22 - 47 minutes - 85 MBAlabama is known for things like football, but thanks to the efforts of people like Dr. Brian Keener, it is also coming to be known for its bewildering plant diversity. North America's glacial past coupled with Alabama's unique geology means a lot of plants call this region home and some of them are found nowhere else in the world. Join me and Dr. Keener as we discuss Bama botany, describing species, and so much more. This episode was produced in part by Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, ...
Ep. 427 - Unraveling the Mysteries of Mycorrhizal Networks
June 25, 2023 18:15 - 46 minutes - 81.9 MBIn this episode, we continue our journey in the world of mycorrhizal interactions with Dr. Jason Hoeksema. Join us as we investigate the ecological and evolutionary consequences of interactions between trees and mycorrhizal fungi and learn how complex and complicated these relationships truly are. This episode was produced in part by Jamie, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi, Caelan, Tom, Don, Susan, Corbin, Keena, Robin, Peter, Whitney, ...
Ep. 426 - Plants and Habitat Fragmentation
June 18, 2023 21:05 - 45 minutes - 80.3 MBHow does habitat size affect plant populations? What happens to plants and insects when two smaller habitats are connected by a habitat corridor? These are the kinds of questions Dr. Julian Resasco likes to ask. Join us for a discussion about the dynamics of habitat fragmentation. This episode was produced in part by Jamie, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi, Caelan, Tom, Don, Susan, Corbin, Keena, Robin, Peter, Whitney, Kenned, Margaret,...
Ep. 425 - What Data Tell Us About the "Wood Wide Web"
June 11, 2023 16:26 - 50 minutes - 117 MBThe concept of the wood wide web in which trees are connected with one another via underground fungal networks has captured imaginations around the globe. The idea that trees may be sharing resources and communicating in seemingly altruistic ways is enticing, but is it true? The data suggest that this is more journalistic fiction than fact. Joining us is Dr. Melanie Jones who has spent her entire career studying common mycorrhizal networks. Join us as we take a data-driven look at the realit...
Ep. 424 - Uncovering the Mysteries of Galls
June 04, 2023 15:33 - 48 minutes - 84.2 MBGalls are perplexingly complex and, in many ways, mysterious structures. Galls are induced by another organism living within the tissues of the host plant. They can occur on a variety of plant organs and come in variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Join and and Dr. Antoine Guiguet as we explore the wonderful world of galls and learn what his work can teach us about their formation. This episode was produced in part by Jamie, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nicho...
Ep. 423 - Plant-Microbe Interactions are Complex
May 28, 2023 13:17 - 49 minutes - 86.4 MBIt is impossible to make broad generalizations about the complex relationships between plants and microbes, but such challenges have not stopped Dr. Anny Chung from studying them. As you will here, there is a wide spectrum of possibilities between pest and mutualist, and where any plant/microbe combination falls on that line can depend heavily on context. Moreover, trying to understand how these relationships change when entire ecosystems change has never been more important. Join us as we d...
Ep. 422 - Investigating Invasiveness
May 21, 2023 15:29 - 49 minutes - 88.6 MBWhat makes some plants invasive? This is an extremely complex question with many possible answers, but that hasn't stopped Dr. Kali Mattingly from tackling a piece of the puzzle. From leaf, root, and flower traits to DNA and hybridization, Dr. Mattingly has tackled this work in a variety of ways. Join us as we discuss what she has learned from looking at invasive plants such as lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). This episode was produced in part by J...
Ep. 421 - Pawpaw & Floral Mimicry Revisited
May 14, 2023 15:18 - 49 minutes - 77.6 MBThe world of floral mimicry really busts open traditional views on pollination. This spectrum of strategies involves things like poop and carrion mimicry, sexual mimicry, and possibly even fruit mimicry. That is where today's guest comes in. We revisit a conversation with Dr. Kate Goodrich, a chemical ecologist from Widener University who studies floral chemistry in the context of mimicry. Her system of interest involves pawpaw and other Asimina species, whose flowers take on strange ferment...