Trees In Spring

Spring is a wonderful time to observe trees. After a long, dreary winter they burst into action. For many species, spring is the time for reproduction.

Species in this episode:

-Serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.)

-Norway maple (Acer platanoides)

-Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

-Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

-Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)

Producer, Writer, Creator, Host: Matt Candeias (http://www.indefenseofplants.com)

Producer, Editor, Camera: Grant Czadzeck (http://www.grantczadzeck.com)

So Many Goldenrods, So Little Time

Nothing says late summer quite like the blooming of the goldenrods. These conspicuous members of the aster family get a bad rap because many folks blame them for causing hay fever. This is simply not true! In this video we take a closer look at a small handful of goldenrods as a way of celebrating this ecologically important group.

Music by: Artist: Ampacity

Track: Encounter One

https://ampacity.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/ampacityband

In Search of a Parasitic Orchid

In this episode, In Defense of Plants goes looking for a tiny parasitic orchid called the autumn coralroot (Corallorhiza odontorhiza - http://bit.ly/2xQhzbc). It has no leaves and does not photosynthesize. Instead, it makes its living completely off of mycorrhizal fungi, digesting its hyphae within the cells of its highly derived roots. Along the way we meet plants such as:

 Music by: Artist: Ampacity

Track: Asimov's Sideburns

https://ampacity.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/ampacityband

In Search of the Orange Fringed Orchid

In Defense of Plants is finally back for another exciting botanical adventure! This week we explore another wonderful sand prairie in search of one of North America's most stunning terrestrial orchids - the orange fringed orchid (Platanthera ciliaris). Along the way, we meet a handful of great native plant species that are at home in these sandy soils.

Music by: 
Artist: Eyes Behind the Veil
Track: Folding Chair
Album: Besides
https://eyesbehindtheveil.bandcamp.com/

Exploring a Sand Prairie

In this exciting episode, In Defense of Plants explores the fascinating botanical communities growing in a sand prairie in central Illinois. The unique soil conditions makes this place a hotbed for rare plants. Many of these species are disjuncts from further west. 

The story of this place began some 14,000 years ago as glacial outwash from the long gone Lake Chicago blew across the landscape and piled into great sand dunes. Join us for a fascinatingly beautiful botanical adventure. 

CORRECTION: The cactus is not Optuntia fragilis, it is actually the eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa)... Woops!

Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Matt Candeias (http://www.indefenseofplants.com)

Producer, Editor, Camera:
Grant Czadzeck (http://www.grantczadzeck.com)

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Twitter: @indfnsofplnts
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Music by: 
Artist: Lazy Legs
Track: Sparks
Album: VISIONDEATH
http://lazylegs.bandcamp.com