Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't Trouble in the Food Forest
Sep 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Lilly Anderson-Messec, a native plant ecologist, delves into the intricacies of permaculture and invasion biology. She explores the gaps in ecological education that lead to denial of invasion science and highlights the importance of native ecosystems. Lilly criticizes the consumerist tendencies shaping plant choices and argues for a focus on local knowledge and foraging. She warns against the long-term ecological harm posed by non-natives, urging a return to cultivating native foods that have rich ethnobotanical histories.
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Function Over Ecological Context
- Permaculture often mimics ecosystem structure but prioritizes human function over ecological context.
- That human-centric focus drives choices that ignore native species' evolved role and interactions.
Functionitis Leads To Wrong Plants
- Permaculturists often select plants for single functions without checking regional provenance.
- That leads to planting species (e.g., Acacia) far outside their evolutionary context with potential harm to local ecosystems.
Work With Local Species First
- Do forage and work with species that already occur in your region instead of recreating ecosystems.
- Learn sustainable harvest areas and let native plants supply food without unnecessary planting.
