Lunchbox Talk: Bridging the Knowledge-to-Practice Gap: Hemiparasitic Plants in Grassland Restoration

April 23, 2026 with Jordan Argrett, University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology PhD Candidate Grasslands across North America, including the remnant prairies, glades, and savannas of the Southeast, are some of the most diverse and threatened ecosystems on Earth. Urban growth, habitat fragmentation, and changes in natural disturbances like fire and grazing have made it harder to restore native plant diversity at scale. In this Lunchbox Talk, learn about Jordan Argrett’s research on an underused restoration tool: native root hemiparasitic plants. These plants form symbiosis by tapping into the roots of their neighbors for nutrients. Acting as “pseudo-grazers,” they can make big impacts on plant communities by curbing dominant species, rebalancing the competitive landscape, and creating space for native wildflowers to thrive. Drawing on experimental ecology, conservation horticulture, and restoration strategies, Jordan’s work aims to provide southeastern conservation practitioners with practical, scalable tools to help bring back biodiversity.