Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't

Setting Fire to Suburbia w/ Gerould Wilhelm

Gerould Wilhelm is one of the two authors of Flora of the Chicago Region - A Floristic &amp; Ecological Synthesis. In this episode we talk about a number of topics, from prairie hydrology, native American belief systems, civilizational ethos and how he sets fire to his suburban yard every year in order to facilitate the diversity of prairie plant communities. Please check out his long list of essays, research articles, and publications at www.conservationresearchinstitute.com

Why do some plants grow where they do? How can geology cause new plant species to evolve? Why are some plants pollinated by flies, some by bats, some by birds, and others by bees? How does a plant evolve to look like a rock? How can destroying lawns soothe the soul? This is a show about plants and plant habitat through the lens of natural selection and ecology, with a side of neurotic ranting, light humor, occasional profanity, &amp; the perpetual search for the filthiest taqueria bathroom.