Ep. 313 - Of Bluebells & Bracken
In Defense of Plants Podcast
In Defense of Plants
4.8 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 18 April 2021
⏱️ 51 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are a biological treasure throughout parts of Europe and the British Isles. When left undisturbed, these spring-blooming bulbs can pain entire landscapes in blue for a few weeks each year. Aside from their beauty, bluebells are also marvels of evolution. Joining us to talk about this is Dr. Vera Fitzsimmons-Thoss AKA Vera Bluebell, a chemical ecologist turned bluebell farmer who has devoted much of her research to understanding their ecology. She is especially interested in the ecological interactions between bluebells and another dominate plant on the landscape, bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum). Join us for a deep dive into the ecological dynamics of bluebells and their bracken neighbors. This podcast was produced in part by Tara, Elly, Colleen, Natalie, Liam, Ario, Nathan, Laura, Cari, Laura, Kali, Margaret, Mary, Connor, Nathan, Jan, Jerome, Brian, Melody, Azomonas, Ellie, University Greens, Cynthia, John, Ashley, Peter, Cathrine, Melvin, OrangeJulian, Porter, Grif, Jules, Joan, Les, Marabeth, Ali, Margaret, Southside Plants, Robert, Keiko, Bryce, Brittany, Helen, Amanda, Mikey, Rhiannon, Michelle, Kate, German, Joerg, Alejandra, Cathy, Jordan, Judy, Steve, Kae, Carole, Mr. Keith Santner, Dana, Chloe, Aaron, Sara, Kenned, Vaibhav, Kendall, Christina, Brett, Jocelyn, Kathleen, Ethan, Kaylee, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Donica, Chris, Shamora, Alana, Laura, Alice, Sarah, Rachel, Joanna, Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Liba, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello everyone and welcome to the Indefensive Plants podcast, the official podcast of Indefensiveplants.com. |
| 0:06.7 | What's up? This is your host, Matt. Welcome to the show. How's everyone doing this week? |
| 0:11.0 | Today we're talking about one of Europe's most iconic wildflowers, the calming bluebells, highest |
| 0:16.1 | anthoides, nonscripta. If you've ever traveled or live anywhere within the northwestern corner of Spain |
| 0:22.1 | all the way up to the British Isles, these wonderful bulbs paint entire landscapes blue for a short |
| 0:27.9 | period of time every spring, and they are fascinating plants. And my guest today has taken a really |
| 0:34.2 | interesting perspective on studying them. Joining us is Dr. Vera Fitzsimmons Toss. |
| 0:39.5 | She is a chemical ecologist who, after experiencing a wildfire on her properties, |
| 0:45.2 | turn her sights onto the amazing ecological dynamics of bluebells and how they interact |
| 0:50.0 | with other plants on the landscape such as Brackenfern. |
| 0:53.3 | Nowadays, she is also a Bluebell |
| 0:55.1 | farmer, offering sustainably produced bluebells for native gardens around Europe. Her insights |
| 1:01.6 | into the world of Bluebell Ecology are really based in chemistry, which is a fascinating take to |
| 1:06.0 | have on any plant, because plants really are these chemical beings that interact with the world |
| 1:10.7 | around them |
| 1:11.3 | via chemical gradients and interactions. |
| 1:14.3 | It is amazing stuff. |
| 1:15.8 | And the work of her and her colleagues has really painted a fascinating picture of these plants. |
| 1:19.9 | So I don't want to delay this any longer. |
| 1:21.4 | Let's just jump right into it. |
| 1:22.6 | Without further ado, here is my conversation with Dr. Fitzsimmons Toss. |
| 1:26.1 | I hope you enjoy. |
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