The Plant Book Club

In this episode, the Plant Book Club discuss compost, moths and the line between healthy pesticide discussion and fear-mongering.

Reading Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World by Emma Marris

Reading The Wardian Case: How a Simple Box Moved Plants and Changed the World by Luke Keogh

In this episode, Tegan, Ellen, Melissa, Judith and Joram take a break from the world of the chlorophylled to learn about our nearer relatives: fungi! We're lassoed into the dirt by these hunters, decomposers, delicacies and occasional bankers. If you thought a mushroom was just a little white rounded thing you can buy at the grocery store to add to fried rice, this episode is for you!

In this episode, Tegan, Ellen, Melissa and Judith talk about their favorite moments from one forensic botanist's colorful memoir. Could it have used a discerning eye to make sure the chapters didn't get cut off? Sure, but Spencer's friendships, long hours in the mud, experiences with law enforcement and dark botanical descriptions ultimately charmed us.

In this episode, Tegan, Ellen, Melissa, Judith and Joram talk about the lessons they've learned from plants. Can plants teach us humans how to approach equity and inclusion initiatives? Be more adaptive and self-reflective? The gang thinks probably not, but it's worth thinking about.

In this episode, Tegan, Ellen, Judith and Joram dive deep into the forest ecosystem. In Peter Wohlleben's book "The Hidden Life of Trees" it's all about what's going on in the woods. Do trees feel pain? How do they raise their young? And what happens to the trees when the temperatures rise? We'll try to find some answers in the book and take you along on this journey.

This month, Tegan, Joram, Ellen, Melissa and Judith read Bitter Roots: The Search for Healing Plants in Africa by Abena Dove Osseo-Asare. If you want an in-depth history of the relationships between African nations, scientists, healers and pharmaceutical companies, this is the book for you.

This month, Tegan, Joram, Ellen, Melissa and Judith read The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan. If you're curious about Johnny Appleseed and think Holland is ugly, this is your book!

This month, Tegan, Joram, Ellen, and Melissa read Plants That Kill: A Natural History of the World's Most Poisonous Plants by Elizabeth A. Dauncey and Sonny Larsson. This book taught us so much about the best ways to murder people (green potatoes!) and also how to avoid being poisoned by our weirdest fellow terrestrials.