Plants have evolved an incredible arsenal of chemicals, camouflage, spines, hairs, and waxes to discourage herbivores. On the other hand, they spend a huge amount of their energy on pollen, nectar, edible fruits, and sugary root exudates designed to attract and nourish animals, insects, fungi and bacteria so they can perform services such as pollination, seed dispersal, defense, and nutrient acquisition. It is a carefully balanced natural economy and community based on the products of photosynthesis that is amazing in its complexity and efficiency.
Bill Cullina is currently the Executive Director for one of North America's newest and most exciting public gardens, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Booth bay, Maine. Previously he was the Nursery Director and Head Propagator at New England Wildflower Society in Massachusetts. Mr. Cullina is a well-known author and recognized authority on North American native plants and lectures on a variety of subjects to garden and professional groups, and writes for popular and technical journals. His books include, Wildflowers, Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, Understanding Orchids, Native Ferns, Mosses, and Grasses, Understanding Perennials: New Look at an Old Favorite, and co-authored Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: A People’s Garden in 2011. He and his wife, Melissa, live with their three young children on Southport Island in Mid-Coast Maine.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx