#38 Passionflower Floral Structure, Pollination Biology & Fruit Dispersal with Dr. Shawn Krosnick

Did you know carpenter bees can get drunk while visiting passionflowers?

In this episode of the Wild Herbs Podcast, Dr. Shawn Krosnick, a professor of biology at Tennessee Technological University, shares insights from her years of research on the genus Passiflora. She uncovers the floral anatomy of passionflower, its pollination biology, primary fruit dispersers, evolutionary relationships with other plant families, and why it holds the record for the greatest leaf shape diversity in the plant kingdom. Click here to watch this episode on YouTube!

Resources:

👉 Krosnick, S., & Moore, K. (2024). Rooting students in their botanical history: A method to engage students in botany and herbaria. Plants, People, Planet, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10595

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About the guest:

Dr. Shawn Krosnick is a Professor of Biology at Tennessee Technological University, where she teaches courses in botany, plant ecology, plant-animal interactions, anatomy, and developmental biology. Her research focuses on the ecology, evolution, and reproductive biology of plants, with particular interests in pollination, seed dispersal, plant-animal interactions, and biodiversity conservation. Dr. Krosnick directs the Hollister Herbarium at Tennessee Tech and works closely with undergraduate and graduate students on field and laboratory research projects. Her work has included studies of native plant diversity, plant reproduction, pollination biology, and the fascinating relationships between plants and the animals that interact with them. As both a researcher and educator, she is passionate about helping people better understand the natural world and the important roles plants play in ecosystems and human society.

Connect with Dr. Shawn:

Website: https://sites.tntech.edu/skrosnick/

Email: skrosnick@tntech.edu