Two friends discuss their passions and creations tied through various plant genera. Each episode dives into a specific genus, with a focus on the species native to New England.
We talk about the plants first, then their associated wildlife. We are wildlife too, and ecological engineers, so it ends with us. We talk about indigenous and historical uses, and current use from foraging to growing and improving ecosystems. We would love to promote a deepening relationship with the more-than-human world, as we grow our own connection.
Eli and Niladri took a mini hiatus, as lives got busy. But finally got a chance to talk about genus Sambucus: the Elder/Elderberry.
Elderberries are a gateway. They're a great topic to search to find podcasts, from botany through herbalism and permaculture. It seems that most plant-focused podcasts have an elderberry episode.
Elders are also great plants to get you started foraging (much more beginner-friendly then mushrooms). They're great for your first native hedge, or your first foray into permaculture. But I used 'gateway' deliberately, because of an old European belief that passing between two Elders could have you stepping into the Fey Realm.
We hope that you enjoy this episode, and are inspired to try getting a little closer to your local Sambucus species.
7 Sept 2025
Rubus - Brambles
Eli and Niladri talk about Rubus: the Brambles/Bramble Fruit. There are oh so many species within genus Rubus, with some native on every continent. Blackberries, raspberries, dewberries, thimbleberries and more, these species are interesting in and of themselves, but have a big role in Indigenous medicines as well. They are perhaps the easiest and safest species to forage in North America: tune in to find out why.
7 Sept 2025
Asclepias - Milkweed
Eli and Niladri talk about Asclepias (the Milkweeds). We start with some of the cool unique characteristics of species of Milkweeds - botany for non-botanists, by plant enthusiasts. We talk about many of the New England species, and Showy Milkweed that is common out West, then move on to the vast diversity of associated wildlife (yes, including Monarch Butterflies).
The second half is on human use, from the use by many Indigenous peoples throughout the US, to use by foragers, in integrated pest management (IPM) and in ecological gardening across cultures today. The Common and Showy Milkweeds that thrive on disturbance, and have accompanied human agriculture for the last millennium, actually thrive when harvested. These species are a wonder wonderful example of how our use of native species can benefit wildlife, and us, at the same time.
*hopefully worked out some kinks so that this episode should work on mobile devices across most podcast platforms at this point
** Corrections: when discussing the milkweeds of New England, I said Asclepias speciosa when I meant A. tuberosa, which is our small, orange-flowered, drought-tolerant species often referred to as Butterfly Milkweed. I also said that plants from big box stores are often treated with systemic herbicides; I meant systemic pesticides.
7 Sept 2025
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