Podcast · Tech & Science

In Defense of Plants Podcast

by In Defense of Plants · English · Tech & Science

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.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 54 min
Latest: 4 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026 · 53 min

Ep. 598 - How Bees Learn & Remember Flowers

Bee cognition is an important topic in the world of plants and pollination. How various bumblebees learn and remember to visit various flowers influences how plants reproduce and evolve. Plants also have a major role to play in the form of floral traits as well as nectar and pollen chemistry and nutrition. As you can imagine, teasing apart these interactions is complex process but that is exactly what Dr. Felicity Muth's lab is trying to do. With the help of a National Geographic Wildlife Intelligence grant, Dr. Muth is hard at work trying to understand bee cognition and what that means for…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E597 · 27 Sep 2026 · 54 min

Ep. 597 - Can Amazon Trees Acclimate?

How do individual trees acclimate to changes in their environment over time? This can be a tricky question to answer, especially in remote parts of the Amazon. Luckily, with a bit of creativity and some interesting applications of technology, people like Dr. Riley Fortier are hard at work with this question and so much more. Join us for a fun look at how leaf traits, herbarium specimens, and plenty of field work are helping him and his colleagues understand how climate change is affecting Amazonian tree species. This episode was produced in part by 73315, Zack, Atis, Sarracenia, Chris,…
E596 · 20 Sep 2026 · 54 min

Ep. 596 - A Carboniferous Video Game?!

Wouldn't it be cool to explore a Carboniferous forest on foot? Alas, until we invent time travel technology, we can't do that in person. However, my guest today is working on making it a real possibility digitally! Joining us is Paleontologist and co-host of the Weird & Dead Podcast Dr. Meaghan Wetherell who has embarked on a glorious project to create a Carboniferous video game of sorts. From researching the paleobotanical literature to recreating these long-extinct fossil floras in 3D, Dr. Wetherall takes us on a journey back in time. This episode was produced in part by Atis, Sarracenia,…
E595 · 13 Sep 2026 · 1 hr

Ep. 595 - Disrupt Plants, Disrupt Life: A Climate Change Story

What happens when you disrupts plants? You disrupt ecosystems! Paleobotany provides us with multiple case studies on how change plant communities affects all walks of life and can lead to mass extinctions across the globe. Joining us to talk about this is the Assistant Curator for La Brea Tar Pits & Museum Dr. Regan Dunn. Dr. Dunn's work is uncovering sobering insights into how climate and plants interact during important periods in Earth's history such as the extinction of the dinosaurs and the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and lead to massive ecosystem disruptions. Her work spans…
E594 · 6 Sep 2026 · 46 min

Ep. 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers

What do the white fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia) and the red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis) have in common? Habitat preferences! This is becoming increasingly apparent on the Cumberland Plateau of southern Tennessee. Natural Areas Program Manager for the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Sam King joins us for a story about how a chance logging mistake is teaching them how to manage white fringless orchid habitat for the better and has even unlocked new inroads into red-cockaded woodpecker conservation. This episode was produced in part by Atis,…
E593 · 30 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 6 min

Ep. 593 - Orchids & their Fungal Partners

Orchids are the botanical poster children for plant-fungi interactions. Every orchid has a close relationship with at least one species of orchid. Understanding how these relationships play out from orchid roots and across ecosystems is key to orchid understanding and conservation. Joining us to talk about the complexity of understanding these relationships is Dr. Melissa McCormick of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the North American Orchid Conservation Center. Listen in and learn about what it takes to study orchids and their fungi and how that knowledge improves orchid…
E592 · 23 Aug 2026 · 51 min

Ep. 592 - What Cherries & Company Can Teach Us About Evolution

The genus Prunus gives us apricots, plums, cherries, and almonds, but also a ton of under appreciated plant diversity. Prunus around the world have managed to adapt to a surprising variety of environmental conditions and have a lot to teach us about plant evolution as a result. That is why they are the focus of Dr. Richie Hodel's lab. Join us for a wonderfully deep dive into how he and his colleagues are trying to understand the evolutionary secrets of this incredible genus. This episode was produced in part by Nelly, Chelz, Jbert, Chris, Gerald, Elise, Maggie, Mamie, A.J., Dallas, Channele,…
E591 · 16 Aug 2026 · 55 min

Ep. 591 - Justice for Habitats

Habitats face pressures from all sorts of threats. Illegal logging, mining, and poaching are driving extinctions, accelerating climate change, and hurting communities everywhere. How can we use laws to change this? That is what Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University and Executive Director of Conservation Litigation Dr. Jacob Phelps is here to talk about. Conservation Litigation is a wonderful organization that exists to "to hold those who harm nature meaningfully responsible for remedying the harm they cause – whether to biodiversity, habitats, climate, animal welfare or human wellbeing."…
E590 · 9 Aug 2026 · 56 min

Ep. 590 - The Complex Ecology of Puerto Rico's Forests

Puerto Rico may not be a very large island but its forests certainly are complex. Historically, Puerto Rico lost nearly 95% of its forest cover due to human activities but humans are also playing an important role in how they grow back. Understanding how historical land use and human management have influenced the regrowth of Puerto Rico's forests has been a major part of Dr. Ariel Lugo's scientific career. From naturalized and invasive species to the impacts of hurricanes and community empowerment, Dr. Lugo takes us on a deep dive into the complex world of the forests of Puerto Rico. This…
E589 · 2 Aug 2026 · 54 min

Ep. 589 - Epiphytes & the Water Cycle

Epiphytes of one kind or another are ubiquitous components of ecosystems around the globe, but we still know little about what they are doing up in the forest canopy. For instance, how do epiphytes influence the water cycle of various ecosystems? Figuring out how epiphytes interact with the water cycle can help us refine models of drought, climate change, and so much more. Joining us to talk about this is Dr. John Van Stan who you may remember from Episode 457 of the In Defense of Plants Podcast. He and his colleagues are working on refining the concept of the "Epiphyte Area Index" that will…
E588 · 26 Jul 2026 · 46 min

Ep. 588 - Investigating Boreal Rarities

Rare plants aren't rare for the same reasons. They aren't even rare at different points in time. Figuring out the causes and consequences of plant rarity on a species by species basis is both very hard and very important. Ecologists have to get creative with time, money, and other resources. Join me and Dr. Varina Crisfield as we explore the topic of plant rarity in Canada's boreal forests. This episode was produced in part by Jbert, Chris, Gerald, Elise, Maggie, Mamie, A.J., Dallas, Channele, KC, Joe, Diane, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren,…
E587 · 19 Jul 2026 · 52 min

Ep. 587 - Cloning & Conservation in Plants

Cloning may seem like a futuristic topic largely reserved for science fiction but plants are doing it all the time. Clonality is one of the many aspects that can make plant species successful across the landscape. It can also greatly impact the way we approach plant conservation efforts. Despite the importance of cloning in plants, we still know very little about how its influences plant population dynamics. Which plants are clonal? How long can clones live? How does cloning influence pollination? These questions and more are what drive people like Dr. Ashley Morris. Join us as we look at…
E586 · 12 Jul 2026 · 46 min

Ep. 586 - Restoring a Galápagos Forest

Daisy trees, petrels, and pink iguanas... The Galápagos Islands are home to unique endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Sadly, the ecosystems that support them are under threat from invasive species and outright destruction. If something isn't done to turn the tide, species will be lost forever. Luckily, organizations such as Jocotoco Conservation Foundation are hard at work slowing and hopefully reversing this trend. Join me and Juan Alejo Chávez as we discuss the efforts to restore daisy trees (Scalesia pedunculata) and other native plants that comprise this unique forest…
E585 · 5 Jul 2026 · 44 min

Ep. 585 - Dragonflies Need Plants

Dragonflies and damselflies are voracious aerial predators that help keep populations of other insects like mosquitoes in check. These amazing insects also require aquatic habitats to complete their life cycles. Simply put, without wetlands we don't have dragonflies and damselflies. However, not all wetlands will do. My guest Dr. Mary Ann Perron is here to discuss why native aquatic plants are absolutely essential to the success of these insects. Join us as we discuss what makes a good wetland for dragonflies and damselflies and learn what you can do to help them out in your own community!…
E584 · 28 Jun 2026 · 55 min

Ep. 584 - Understanding Forest Disturbance

Disturbances from fire and wind to insects and humans play a huge role in forest dynamics through time. Throw in the impacts of climate change, and these dynamics only get more complicated. Understanding how disturbances interact and influence how forests change through time is of great interest to people from all walks of life and that is why people like Dr. Kenneth Anyomi are hard at work studying them. Join us for a deep dive on how disturbances influence forest succession and the lives that depend on it. This episode was produced in part by Chris, Gerald, Elise, Maggie, Mamie, A.J.,…
E583 · 21 Jun 2026 · 1 hr

Ep. 583 - Commonness, Rarity, and Invasive Species

How common or rare are species in an ecosystem? The answer to this might seem simple, but as with everything in nature, it is not. This question can even complicate how we think of habitat conservation and restoration. When we refine and implement scientific tools like species diversity indices, we need to make sure we are applying them correctly. Join me and Dr. Robert Warren as we explore measures of species diversity, the issues with improper use of these tools, and what that can mean in the context of invasive species and restoration. This episode was produced in part by Chris, Gerald,…
E582 · 14 Jun 2026 · 50 min

Ep. 582 - Extreme Aquatic Plants

When you start studying a group of plants, you never know what you are going to find. Sometimes it's important insights into pollination and seed dispersal. Other times it's how the uplift of mountain chains shapes wetlands and rivers. These are the kinds of discoveries that drive Dr. Ana Bedoya to study the riverweeds of the family Podostemaceae. These extreme aquatic plants are fascinating in the own right while also having a lot to teach us about a variety of scientific disciplines. This episode was produced in part by Chris, Gerald, Elise, Maggie, Mamie, A.J., Dallas, Channele, KC, Joe,…
E581 · 7 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 14 min

Ep. 581 - The Complex World of Plant/Fungi Interactions

Plants are habitat. Heck, even a single leaf is habitat. Same goes for plant roots. This is especially true when we consider insects and fungi. But how do these organisms interact? How do they change over gradients of moisture, temperature, space, and time? Why do we consider some parasitic while others are mutualists? The world of ecological interactions is extremely complex but people like Dr. Chris Bivins are taking stabs at trying to gain insights piece by piece. Join us for an wonderfully deep dive on the amazing ways oaks, gall wasps, fungi, and mycoheterotrophic plants live out their…
E580 · 31 May 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

Ep. 580 - Celebrating a Foundational Aquatic Plant

What could be better than a tiny plant with an outsized impact on the world around it? Hornleaf riverweed AKA Podostemum ceratophyllum is one such plant. This tiny aquatic plant has so many mysterious surrounding it but what we do know is that it is foundational to the aquatic ecosystems in which it is found. Join me and Dr. James Wood as we take a deep dive on this unique aquatic plant and learn what you can do to help us understand and conserve it a little bit better. This episode was produced in part by Elise, Maggie, Mamie, A.J., Dallas, Channele, KC, Joe, Diane, Kim, Tanya, Neil,…
E579 · 24 May 2026 · 50 min

Ep. 579 - Pollen & Seed Storage Efforts

Seed storage is one of the most important tools in plant conservation, but did you know you can also store pollen? We still have a lot to learn about storing both pollen and seeds for most species, and people like Dr. Dustin Wolkis of the Center for Plant Conservation are hard at work doing just that. Join us for an interesting look at what he and his colleagues are doing to prevent plant extinction. This episode was produced in part by Elise, Maggie, Mamie, A.J., Dallas, Channele, KC, Joe, Diane, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi,…
E578 · 17 May 2026 · 45 min

Ep. 578 - Trees & Their Hybrids in a Changing World

Long lived organisms like trees face a lot of challenges throughout their lifetime. Disturbances big and small coupled with climate change are going to continue to stress trees wherever they grow. Which trees have the highest capacity to deal with said stresses? We don't know until we go looking. That is what drives scientists like Dr. Jill Hamilton. Join us as we look at how she is using poplars, spruce, and ash to understand how trees and their hybrids may or may not have what it takes to survive climate stress. This episode was produced in part by Joe, Diane, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew,…
E577 · 10 May 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

Ep. 577 - Ginger Flowers & Plant Evolution

What can investigating the genes in flower development teach us about plant evolution? A lot! What started as a simple question about the quirky nature of flower development in the order of plants collectively referred to as "the gingers" turned into multiple threads related to plant evolution and diversity. Join me and Dr. Chelsea Specht as we take a deep dive into the wild world of Zingiberales. This episode was produced in part by Joe, Diane, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah,…
E576 · 3 May 2026 · 56 min

Ep. 576 - Of Micro Moths & Plants

Micro moths are a wonderfully diverse group of underappreciated insects living all around us. How they interact with their environment, particularly with the native plants the need to survive, is both fascinating and mysterious. Join me and Dr. Jason Dombroskie as we explore the tiny world of micro moths, their host plants, and all the natural history mysteries in between. This episode was produced in part by Andy, S Heller, Drewsophila, Sascha, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah,…
E575 · 26 Apr 2026 · 52 min

Ep. 575 - Endemic Plants of the Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast of southeastern North America is a biodiversity hotspot brimming with cool plants. Everywhere you look, there are plants that grow nowhere else in the world. Why is this region so diverse? How do we try and understand the origins of endemic plants? These are the kind of questions that drive Dr. Elizabeth White. Join us as we explore what it takes to understand plant endemism in a truly special place. This episode was produced in part by Andy, S Heller, Drewsophila, Sascha, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake,…
E574 · 19 Apr 2026 · 59 min

Ep. 574 - Of Alumroots & Coral Bells: Hybridization in Heuchera

Whether you call them alumroots or coral bells, there is no denying the genus Heuchera is both beloved by gardeners and those who know where to find them in the wild. The closer you look at this genus, the more interesting things you will uncover. Just ask Dr. Ryan Folk who is very interested in what these plants can teach us about hybridization and plant evolution. Join us for a wonderfully deep dive into the wild world of Heuchera hybridization events. This episode was produced in part by Joe, Diane, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia,…
E573 · 12 Apr 2026 · 51 min

Ep. 573 - Great Lakes Climate Refugia

Climate refugia can provide unique opportunities for plants (and more) to persist for long periods of time in otherwise inhospitable areas. They have and will continue to shape biodiversity across the globe but understanding them isn't easy. Join me and Dr. Ashley Hillman as we look at how one of the greatest lakes of them all - Lake Superior - has shaped the distribution of Arctic plant species since the Pleistocene and what this can teach us about climate change and species distributions moving into the future. This episode was produced in part by Andy, S Heller, Drewsophila, Sascha, Kim,…
E572 · 5 Apr 2026 · 52 min

Ep. 572 - Novel Weapons & Plant Invasions

What makes an invasive plant species invasive? A lot of effort goes in to trying to understand the ecological and evolutionary underpinnings of invasive species. Multiple hypotheses have been put forward such as the novel weapons hypothesis and allelopathy, but what do the data tell us about these concepts? The answer is as nuanced as it is interesting. Join me and Dr. Robert Colautti as we explore novel weapons and allelopathy through the lens of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). This episode was produced in part by Joe, Diane, Kim, Tanya, Neil,…
E571 · 29 Mar 2026 · 54 min

Ep. 571 - Pesticides In Your Garden

So many of us garden to attract wildlife. Adding native plants to support bees, butterflies, birds, and beyond is a fulfilling and noble cause but how can we be sure we aren't bringing unwanted pesticides home with us from plant nurseries? This can be a challenge considering the role pesticides play in so many nursery and agricultural settings. We don't have to despair though! People like Sharon Selvaggio of The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation are both putting in the effort to research this issue and also developing resources to help gardeners make better, more ecologically…
E570 · 22 Mar 2026 · 47 min

Ep. 570 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 2

Successful forest regeneration projects require lots of different skill sets. This is especially true when trying to finance operations that work for local communities. Luckily people like Jonathan Kim of Terraformation are up for the challenge. Join us as we learn how skills outside of the biological sciences are helping make native forest regeneration successful. This episode was produced in part by Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda, Sylvan, Austin,…
E569 · 15 Mar 2026 · 51 min

Ep. 569 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 1

What does it take to regenerate a native forest, especially in highly degraded landscapes? A lot, to put it mildly. Forest regeneration is an important endeavor but figuring out how to do it right is the job of Terraformation's Restoration Manager Michael Sthreshley. Join is for a deep dive on how Terraformation is making native forest regeneration possible in Hawai'i and beyond. This episode was produced in part by Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda,…

About In Defense of Plants Podcast

In Defense of Plants Podcast is a English tech & science podcast from In Defense of Plants. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: In Defense of Plants
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 54 min
Latest episode: 4 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1245995247

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