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1927 Map of the Arboretum

Plants

Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana var. australis) 1275-80*A in flower. Ned Friedman

Background

The Arnold Arboretum’s living collections are celebrated as some of the most comprehensive and best documented of their kind. Its rich holdings include temperate ligneous plants from around the world. Many of the plants originate from collecting expeditions, others derive from horticultural experimentation, and some were existing vegetation when the Arboretum was founded in 1872. Each of these plants—some 16,000 in all—has a story to tell, and they are preserved as both scientific and horticultural specimens to enrich our understanding of biodiversity through the institution’s research, education, and outreach efforts.

Plant Bios

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Vaccinium corymbosum line drawing
8163*A Map it ↗

‘Dunfee’ Highbush Blueberry

Scientific Name
Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Dunfee’

This wild-collected highbush blueberry was integral to the commercialization of blueberries in the United States.

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500-2007*A Map it ↗

Forever Emeraldâ„¢ Inkberry

Scientific Name
Ilex glabra ‘Peggy’s Cove’

Forever Emeraldâ„¢ inkberry is a versatile evergreen treasure introduced by one of the great propagators of the Arnold Arboretum.

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Collections

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Today's Walks

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Our self-guided walks are a great way to learn more about our trees and plants from home or as you stroll through the landscape. Forge a deeper connection with the Arnold Arboretum's collections as well as the plants you encounter in your daily life. Explore further with the Expeditions mobile app to hear stories about botany, horticulture, conservation, and Arboretum history through photos, text, and audio segments.

Expeditions Unveiled

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Exploring the botanical diversity of Appalachia with international collaborators

Kang Wang uses an extendable utility pole with a Japanese harvest blade attached to the end to collect acorns from a Quercus coccinea in southern Ohio. Photo by Jared Rubinstein.