Background
Since its founding, the Arnold Arboretum has led the way in plant exploration. Our efforts to collect diverse species from around the globe remain central to our mission. Arboretum collectors gather seeds that become the trees and shrubs in our living collections, along with a rich array of documentation, photographs, and herbarium specimens. Our living collections, library and archives, and herbarium are steeped in the work of plant explorers, past and present. This work continues today, particularly in concert with partnering institutions and organizations, such as the North American-China Plant Exploration Consortium. Discover their journeys below.
Highlights
Fun Facts
Stats
- 10
- campaigns
- 16
- contracts
- 80
- Arboretum expeditions
- 11
- non-Arboretum expeditions
- 63
- countries and territories visited
Expeditions Unveiled
How many plant collecting expeditions have been conducted by the Arnold Arboretum? Before 2014, we were not quite sure. This simple question prompted an Arboretum-wide effort to define, inventory, summarize, and share our history of plant exploration on the web. Expeditions Unveiled is the fruit of our efforts, where we bring our ever-expanding history of plant exploration to our visitors. Explore our past expeditions using the timeline below.

Expeditions
1977-present
1928-1976
1874-1927
Featured Expedition
