A Botanical Podcast

Botanical Society of America
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Life Sciences

The Botanical Society of America is thrilled to announce a new podcast series with interviews from a variety of botanical science researchers. The podcast will focus on research and topics found in the BSA’s publications—American Journal of Botany, Applications in Plant Sciences, and Plant Science Bulletin—along with other unique topics.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Growing Biodiverse Communities on Campus (Students Dig It, Literally!): A Conversation with Caprice Disbrow

    Prepare to be inspired! Podcast host Shiran Ben-Zeev and Caprice Disbrow, a Biology and Botany Instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College, enthusiastically talk about the SRJC Campus Biodiversity Initiative, whose goals are to increase awareness of and deepen knowledge of the species found on campus, engage with campus biodiversity, and provide research and career development opportunities through independent and course-based learning, research, and stewardship. The Initiative is a collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners to build gardens and landscaping to beautify the campus in a thoughtful and intelligent way—as well as to measure and improve biodiversity, with additional social, mental health, and creativity benefits. Caprice discusses the origin of the project and how it is growing and building communities of plants and people (and other biodiversity!). There's so much we can learn from each other. Find out more at https://www.srjcbiodiversity.org/. Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

  2. 2d ago

    Herbaria Meet Citizen Science (+”Weird Plant” Talk!): A Conversation with Adam Schneider

    Herbaria are amazing libraries of plant biodiversity—they serve as time capsules of a particular time and place, but they are also so much more! Listen in on this conversation between our podcast host and Adam Schneider, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, as they discuss their love of plant collections and how herbaria and iNaturalist (a social network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the globe) complement each other. They also talk about Adam's research on parasitic plants. Are parasitic plants evil? Maybe they're just weird, and like all of us, just trying to survive! Thinking about parasitic plants challenges what we think plants are. Challenge yourself and enjoy this episode of "A Botanical Podcast"! Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

  3. 2d ago

    Plant People For the Win! A Conversation with Chris Martine

    Join us "in the weeds" for this fascinating conversation with Chris Martine, a Professor at Bucknell (and incoming President of BSA), who has many interests and talents, as well as an infectious enthusiasm for plants and the people who study them.  Chris and Shiran talk about numerous topics, including Chris's deep dive into Solanaceae, the Nightshade Family, and in particular the bush tomatoes that grow primarily in the Australian Monsoon Tropics. They talk about how cool herbaria are and how Botany is a welcoming community for anyone curious about plants. Chris makes a strong case that "Plants Are Cool, Too!" You can check out his YouTube series of the same name at https://www.youtube.com/@PlantsAreCoolToo. Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

  4. 2d ago

    CAM! An Enlightening Discussion With Karolina Heyduk

    Welcome to the first episode of the second season of "A Botanical Podcast"! Host Shiran Ben-Zeev talks with Dr. Karolina Heyduk, University of Connecticut, about why she and her colleagues and students sometimes have slumber parties with (very special) plants. She's interested in how plants adapt to stressful conditions, such as a lack of water and super-high temperatures. Karolina is very interested in the ecophysiology of plants, especially CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) photosynthesis, and by the end of this episode you will be, too! Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

  5. 06/02/2025

    Timing! Shifting Climate Conditions and Plant Flowering: A Conversation with Jessica Savage

    In this episode of “A Botanical Podcast!” host Shiran Ben Zeev and Dr. Jessica Savage have a wide-ranging conversation about how flowering plants respond to shifting seasonal changes in temperatures, especially when those changes are unpredictable—early warming periods (false springs), followed by light or hard freezes. What is the difference between plants that flower and those that wait? What is the impact of freezing on plants in flower? Jessica draws on research by her and people in her lab who are working to help us better understand the physiological basis of plant phenology and seasonality. Jessica is a whole plant physiologist with expertise in vascular physiology, floral physiology, phenology, and physiological ecology in seasonally cold climates. She has a strong disposition toward research tied to the phloem (she must have a sweet tooth!). She is an Associate Professor at a primary undergraduate institution and has a passion for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students (especially master’s students). She developed and runs a community-engaged research program focused on tree phenology in coastal forests around Lake Superior and is the Chair of the Physiological and Ecophysiological Section of BSA. Before starting as a faculty member, she was a Putnam Research Fellow at the Arnold Arboretum and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. She received her PhD from the University of Minnesota in Plant Biological Sciences. The research discussed in the podcast was funded by the National Science Foundation (IOS 1656318). Jessica A. Savage University of Minnesota - Duluth Website bit.ly/savageplantphys BlueSky @savageplantphys.bsky.social  Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

  6. 05/27/2025

    Let's Look at Vegetative Phase Change: A Conversation with Erica Lawrence-Paul

    Is it better/more advantageous to be a juvenile or an adult? As with humans, in plants, "it’s complicated"! In this episode of “A Botanical Podcast!” host Shiran Ben Zeev and Erica Lawrence-Paul discuss vegetative phase change in plants, i.e., the transition between juvenile and adult phases of vegetative growth. This transition can be visually subtle and easy to overlook in many species; however, morphological and physiological differences between juvenile and adult phases can lead to meaningful differences in plant and tissue function. Dr. Erica Lawrence-Paul is an NSF postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Jesse Lasky’s lab in the Department of Biology at the Pennsylvania State University. She earned her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania, studying the ecophysiological significance of the plant developmental transition, vegetative phase change, with a particular focus on photosynthetic and leaf carbon economic traits. Her current work focuses on understanding how natural variation in the timing of vegetative phase change and phase-specific differences in stress tolerance contribute to plant abiotic stress response and local adaptation. Erica Lawrence-Paul, Pennsylvania State University BlueSky: @ehlawrence-paul.bsky.social  Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

  7. 05/19/2025

    Plants Communicating Through Chemistry: A Conversation with Jordan Dowell

    In this episode, the host Shiran Ben Zeev and guest Jordan Dowell nerd out on a discussion of how plants choose to defend themselves against predators and/or manipulate other organisms to help them live their best lives, and how plants use chemistry to communicate---and what we can learn from that. They talk about the special challenges of surviving and thriving in harsh environments and touch on the evolution of chemical diversity and the effects of chemical diversity on organismal interactions across spatial and temporal scales.  Dr. Jordan Dowell is an assistant professor at Louisiana State University and an Associate Editor of the BSA's Applications in Plant Sciences. He studies the evolutionary ecology of plant-plant chemical communication and the impacts of multifunctional traits on biotic interactions from single-cells to landscapes using various techniques, from metabolomic and genomic approaches to remote sensing and field-based studies. Jordan Dowell, Louisiana State University https://jordandowell.github.io/ BlueSky: volatileorganic.bsky.social Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

  8. 05/12/2025

    Paradigm Shifts in Flower Color: A Conversation with Andrea Berardi

    In this episode* of A Botanical Podcast, Dr. Andrea E. Berardi from James Madison University joins show host Dr. Shiran Ben Zeev to discuss the evolution of flower color and why plants change their colors. They discuss the role of plant-pollinator interactions and environmental relationships. This topic ties into the upcoming “Paradigm Shifts in Flower Color” special issue of the American Journal of Botany (https://botany.org/home/publications/ajb/ajb-special-issue-call-for-papers-paradigm-shifts-in-flower-color.html). *Note: At 18:15, Dr. Berardi mentioned that nectar is an efficiency trait when in fact nectar is a reward trait. We thank her for pointing this out in post-production. Andrea Berardi is an Assistant Professor at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is a plant evolutionary biologist whose research focuses on evolutionary, genetic, and ecological processes underlying speciation, specifically focusing on how floral traits play a role in reproductive isolation and adaptation to the environment. Her favorite traits to study are floral color and plant secondary/specialized metabolites. She is co-editing a special issue of American Journal of Botany on "Paradigm Shifts in Flower Color," along with Justen Whittall, Eduardo Narbona, and José Carlos del Valle García. Andrea Berardi homepage Andrea Berardi Instagram  This podcast is hosted and produced by BSA member Dr. Shiran Ben Zeev. He is a postdoctoral fellow at Penn State University who studies plant–plant interactions in crops.  Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

    Paradigm Shifts in Flower Color: A Conversation with Andrea Berardi

  9. Trailer

    "A Botanical Podcast" Introduction

    BSA Publications Director Amy McPherson and host/producer Dr. Shiran Ben Zeev offer a preview of the first season of the BSA's new podcast: "A Botanical Podcast"! The podcast features conversations with botanists explaining their research and their passion for plants (and allied organisms). We’re focused on authors who choose to publish in Society journals, such as the American Journal of Botany, Applications in Plant Sciences, and Plant Science Bulletin---and we’ll include some surprises along the way! Disclaimer The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA. Websites / Social Media Handles  Botanical Society of America Bluesky Botanical Society of America Instagram Botanical Society of America American Journal of Botany Applications in Plant Sciences Plant Science Bulletin ...

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Botanical Society of America is thrilled to announce a new podcast series with interviews from a variety of botanical science researchers. The podcast will focus on research and topics found in the BSA’s publications—American Journal of Botany, Applications in Plant Sciences, and Plant Science Bulletin—along with other unique topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Botanical Society of America
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Botanical Podcast
  • Show Website
    A Botanical Podcast