What is in defense of plants?
In Defense of Plants is a celebration of plants for the sake of plants. There is no denying that plants are extremely useful to humanity in many ways, but that isn’t why this exist. Plants are living, breathing, self-replicating organisms that are fighting for survival just like the rest of life on Earth.
How does phytoplasma affect plant defenses?
Just as the phytoplasma alter the gene expression in the petal cells, they can also alter the expression of genes involved in plant defenses. Research on infected Arabidopsis plants has shown that phytoplasma cause the plant to decrease production of a hormone called jasmonate.
Why do carnivorous plants keep their feeding organs away from flowers?
With few exceptions, the vast majority of carnivorous plants keep their feeding organs away from their flowers. The leading hypothesis on this suggests that separating feeding and reproduction in space (and sometimes time) helps carnivorous plants avoid catching and digesting their pollinators.
Why are seeds important?
Seeds are among the most important biological structures on this planet. Seeds have been instrumental in the diversification of plants, allowing them to spread into new habitats all over the glo…
Do cacti have independent organisms?
Cacti may appear like strong, independent organisms but that simply isn't the case. No organism operates in a vacuum and cacti are no exception to this. This episode, we talk with Stefan Burger…
Why are seeds important?
Seeds are among the most important biological structures on this planet. Seeds have been instrumental in the diversification of plants, allowing them to spread into new habitats all over the globe. In fact, you and I would not be here if it were not for seeds. For these reasons and more, Dr. Cecilia Zumajo is fascinated by how seeds evolved. By looking at the genetic mechanisms that control seed development in various gymnosperms, Dr. Zumajo is opening new doors into our understanding of the...
What is rock gardening?
Rock gardening is so much more than gardening with rocks. No one knows this better than Panayoti Kelaidis. A self-proclaimed acolyte in the cathedral of chlorophyll, Panayoti has spent a lifetime steeped in plants and gardening. As you will learn, rock gardening is truly a magnificent blend of science and art that celebrates plants as organisms and brings people together from all across the world. Join us as we take a deep dive on what it means to be a rock gardener. This podcast was...
Did flowering plants evolve over night?
Resolving the origins of flowering plants requires an understanding of how their morphology came to be. After all, despite their rapid appearance in the fossil record, flowering plants did not evolve over night. There had to be transitional phases between what we recognize as a gymnosperm and what we recognize as an angiosperm and that is what this episode is all about. Sir Peter Crane of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation joins us to discuss some intriguing fossils that he and his colleagues...
The Carnivorous Plant Guild Welcomes a New Member
It is a rare but special day when we can add a new plant to the relatively small list of carnivorous plants. It is even more exciting when that plant has been “hiding” in plain sight all this time. Meet the western false asphodel ( Triantha occidentalis ), a lovely monocot native to nutrient-poor wetlands in western North America.
Pitcher Plant Moths and their Pitcher Plant Homes
Discussions about pitcher plants usually revolve around the fact that they trap and eat insects and other animals. However, there are a handful of organisms out there that turn the table on pitcher plants, reminding us that these botanical carnivores can become food themselves.
My Unforgettable Encounter with a Fevertree
When someone asks you if you would like to see a wild fever tree, you have to say yes. As a denizen of cold climates defined by months of freezing temperatures, I will never miss an opportunity to encounter any species in its native habitat that cannot survive frosts.
Bearcorn: A Mysterious Parasite from Eastern North America
Bearcorn ( Conopholis americana) is one of those plants that really challenges mainstream assumptions of what a plant should look like. It produces no leaves, no chlorophyll, and all you ever see of it are its strange reproductive structures. One can easily be forgiven for thinking they had encountered some type of fungus.
A North American Lily-of-the-Valley?
The flora of the southern Appalachian Mountains will never cease to amaze me. Every time I visit this region of the world, I am blown away by the sheer number of plant species that grow on and around these ancient peaks.
When Trillium Flowers Go Green
The first time I encountered a white trillium ( Trillium grandiflorum) with green stripes on its flowers, I thought I had found a new variant. I excitedly took a bunch of pictures and, upon returning home, shared them among friends.
Roadside Seeding and Bluebonnet Genetics
The mass blooming of bluebonnets ( Lupinus texensis) is truly one of southern North America’s most stunning natural spectacles. Celebrated across its native range, the bluebonnet has greatly benefited from supplemental planting by humans.
Who is the host of Black in the Garden?
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 Culture and horticulture." For Colah, gardening has been revolutionary in many ways. Join us ...
Who is the director of Lankester Botanical Gardens?
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 flies have managed to influence the evolution of the largest subtribe of orchids in the ...
How do invasive species affect biodiversity?
Invasive species are second only to habitat destruction in causing loss of biodiversity on this planet. Moving one species to a habitat where it didn't evolve or even giving native species a new advantage can cause ripples that spread throughout ...