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In Defense of Plants Podcast

In Defense of Plants
Climate Change
Biodiversity
Botany
Ecology
Native Plants
Paleobotany
Plant Conservation
Invasive Species
Pollination
Conservation
Bryophytes
Plant Ecology
Plant Evolution
Orchids
Gardening
Fireflies
Devonian Period
Plant Stress
Evolutionary Biology
Ecosystem Health

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes583Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScienceNature

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Artwork for In Defense of Plants Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 ... more

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 ... more

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 sa... more

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... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Jill Hamilton
Associate Professor at Pennsylvania State University; Director of the Schatz Center for Tree Molecular Genetics
Pennsylvania State University
Episode: Ep. 578 - Trees & Their Hybrids in a Changing World
Dr. Chelsea Specht
Botanist specializing in monocots and Zingiberales; professor and researcher
Cornell University
Episode: Ep. 577 - Ginger Flowers & Plant Evolution
Jason Dombroski
Researcher specializing in micromoths and plant interactions
Cornell University, Insect Diagnostic Lab
Episode: Ep. 576 - Of Micro Moths & Plants
Elizabeth White
Dr. Elizabeth White, researcher focusing on endemism and phylogeography in the Eastern Gulf Coastal Plain
University of Florida
Episode: Ep. 575 - Endemic Plants of the Gulf Coast
Ryan Folk
Associate professor researching Heuchera evolution and hybridization
Mississippi State University
Episode: Ep. 574 - Of Alumroots & Coral Bells: Hybridization in Heuchera
Ashley Hillman
Climate refugia researcher focusing on lakes and plant responses
Canadian Forest Service, Alberta, Canada
Episode: Ep. 573 - Great Lakes Climate Refugia
Robert Colautti
Associate Professor, biology department, Queen's University; lab focuses on biological invasions, especially plants, and integrates ecology, genetics, and fieldwork
Queen's University
Episode: Ep. 572 - Novel Weapons & Plant Invasions
Sharon Selvaggio
Pesticide program specialist for the Xerces Society
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Episode: Ep. 571 - Pesticides In Your Garden
Jonathan Kim
Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Climate Impact at Terraformation
Terraformation
Episode: Ep. 570 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 2

Host

Matt
Host of the show, a botanist who leads conversations with researchers and practitioners about plant science and conservation.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.4k ratings
  • Love Matt’s presentation

    Please don’t change your style as in tone of voice, or calm way you question and allow the stream of consciousness. Love the discussions. The guest is always able to present lots of information and then Matt summarizes and guides the discussion with questions to pull out more specifics or to begin to discuss another part of study or research. I didn’t find merch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mpkfeedback
    United Statesa month ago
  • Time Machine

    From Devonian forests to the High Sierras to Florida Everglades this show takes me back through time and forward to new scientific understandings of the green and beautiful world and how cleverly it has developed and survived as a basis of life on earth and as a huge planetary ecosystem full of coolness and colour and hearts delight and calmness. This is where science becomes magical

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chamsqiz
    Australia2 months ago
  • Lack of substance

    I appreciate the host’s deep knowledge but wish he could approach interviews with more of a « beginner’s mind. » Most of the conversation is commiserating, marveling, humble bragging but not on the substance of the research. Rarely do I come away with a better understanding of the subject, sadly.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Valjean2000
    United States6 months ago
  • Too much fluff

    I was excited by the topics listed in the titles of this podcast but after listening to 7 or 8 episodes, it’s feeling painfully repetitive and lacking in substance. When the guests actually get to talk about the science in their work, it’s really interesting. Unfortunately, the majority of the podcast is often the host buttering up the guests and trying to show how passionate he is about the subject. Way too much time is spent talking about the guests’ career paths, how fascinating everything is... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Imanj24
    United States8 months ago
  • Hey bug lovers

    I suggest you go to bugs need heroes

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cleo1717🩷Podlover
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience-friendly deep dives into ecological topics without losing rigor.
Thoughtful, accessible science with credible guest experts.
Strong coverage of plant conservation and restoration.
Some listeners want shorter intros and more focus on the science.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 577 - Ginger Flowers & Plant Evolution
Q: Why is the labellum in Costaceae so important to understanding their pollination strategies?
Because the labellum is a key floral structure formed from fused infertile stamens, it acts as the primary display while the true petals are less conspicuous; studying its diversity across species reveals how development and pollinator interactions drive speciation.
Ep. 577 - Ginger Flowers & Plant Evolution
Q: How did you become interested in botany and monocots specifically?
The guest describes an early love of biology and the joy of field experiences; mentorship and a shift from a pharmacology focus to ethnobotany and evolutionary chemistry steered her toward studying plant development and biodiversity, with monocots and the Zingiberales providing a rich system for exploring floral evolution.
Ep. 574 - Of Alumroots & Coral Bells: Hybridization in Heuchera
Q: What are Heuchera, broadly speaking, and why are they interesting?
Heuchera are a genus of small to medium-sized garden plants with diverse habitats and complex pollination biology; they're especially interesting because they exhibit extensive hybridization, plasmid-like organelle dynamics, and varied ecological adaptations that illuminate broader questions in evolution and systematics.
Ep. 570 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 2
Q: What is the core mission of Terraformation and how is it different from traditional reforestation approaches?
The core mission is to scale native forest restoration by combining technology with a people-centric approach, prioritizing local communities and indigenous partnerships, and focusing on long-term outcomes like biodiversity, water preservation, and carbon sequestration rather than just planting trees.
Ep. 569 - How to Grow a Forest Pt. 1
Q: What sparked your focus on agroforestry and native restoration?
My background in Congo and Hawaii showed me that blending agriculture with forest restoration can address livelihood needs while rebuilding ecosystem function; it's about choosing species and practices that create a self-sustaining forest rather than quick, non-native gains.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About In Defense of Plants Podcast

What is In Defense of Plants Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program explores the plant world through conversations with researchers, conservationists, and educators who study everything from bryophytes to desert ecosystems. Recent episodes emphasize bryophyte ecology, plant conservation pipelines, paleobotany, and practical applications for restoration and habitat management, often featuring hands-on examples with restoration projects, seed banks, and native-plant gardening. The show regularly highlights how plants influence ecosystems, climate resilience, and biodiversity, with approachable discussions that appeal to gardeners, students, and professionals alike. A notable strength is the ability to translate complex plant science into actionable insights for conservation, education, and citize... more

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Which podcasts are similar to In Defense of Plants Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with In Defense of Plants Podcast:

1. Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't
2. Native Plants, Healthy Planet
3. Completely Arbortrary
4. Plant People
5. The Science of Birds

How many episodes of In Defense of Plants Podcast are there?

In Defense of Plants Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 583 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on In Defense of Plants Podcast?

Recent guests on In Defense of Plants Podcast include:

1. Dr. Jill Hamilton
2. Dr. Chelsea Specht
3. Jason Dombroski
4. Elizabeth White
5. Ryan Folk
6. Ashley Hillman
7. Robert Colautti
8. Sharon Selvaggio

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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