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SERIES — Multiple Containers Identifier: III EHW, W.III

Series W.III: Second Expedition to China for Messrs. Veitch, 1903-1905

Dates

  • Creation: 1903-1905

General Physical Description note

The main goal for this expedition was to collect the rare alpine plant Meconopsis integrifolia, often called the Himalayan or yellow poppy. Wilson arrived in Shanghai in March 1903 and traveled north through Western Szechuan to the Sino-Tibetan border, where he found Meconopsis integrifolia growing at an altitude of 11,000 feet. This arduous expedition was first described by Wilson in a series entitled in, "Leaves from my Chinese notebook," published in The Gardeners' Chronicle between June 1905 and June 1906. James H. Veitch's hand-written instructions, and Wilson's final account with the Veitch firm is also in this series. There are several field diaries, written in pencil and often difficult to read, which contain dated entries and locations. Collection lists, field notes for seeds and herbarium specimens, a list of "Wilson plants received from Veitch" [at the Arnold Arboretum] 1907-1909, are also part of this series. For letters and travel documents, see Series W.VII. and W.IX. Collection numbers of seeds from this trip: 1400-1910. Herbarium specimens are numbered: 3000-5420.

Terms of Access

This collection is open for research. Researchers seeking to examine archival materials are strongly encouraged to make an appointment. The Director, or an office of origin, may place restrictions on the use of some or all of its records. The extent and length of the restriction will be determined by the Director, office of origin, and the Archivist and will be enforced equally for all researchers.

Extent

20 linear feet

General note

Diaries and Field Notes: Book I-Book IV (Wilson's numbers.) Folders 2-10.

Records kept by Messrs. Veitch on seed propagation results for seeds collected 1903-1905 are found in: Series W.II, Box 4, Folder 5, Section Two.

Repository Details

Part of the Arnold Arboretum Archives Repository

The Arnold Arboretum Horticultural Library is a specialized collection devoted to the study of temperate woody plants. We collect works on botany, horticulture, floras, urban forestry and taxonomy. The library contains more than 25,000 volumes and 40,000 photographs, and includes an archive that both documents the Arboretum's history and is a repository for 19th, 20th, and 21st century horticultural and botanical collections.

Contact:
125 Arborway
Jamaica Plain MA 02130 USA