first discovered the peony species, P. fruticosa and P. rockii; the latter find made more than a decade before the collections made by the explorer Joseph Rock. Published articles by William Purdom Purdom, W. (1913a). Plant-collecting in China by Mr Purdom. Gardeners’ Chronicle. pp. 229– 231. Purdom, W. (1913b). Aesculus chinensis in China. Gardeners’ Chronicle. pp .346-347. Purdom's Legacy. Purdom collected several hundred herbarium specimens under his own name, most of which are represented at the Arnold Arboretum and Kew Garden's herbariums. He became an accomplished photographer and a large collection of his images are held at the Arnold Arboretum and can be viewed on line. Farrer himself indicated that many of the photographs which he used in his lectures and in his 'China' books were in fact taken by Purdom. Many of the latter, and also extremely interesting photographs that Purdom took whilst in China in 1916-1920 are held at the RBG Edinburgh on behalf of the Lakeland Horticultural Society. References 5. Watt, Alistair (2019). Purdom and Farrer Plant Hunters on the Eaves of China. Published by author in an edition limited to 250 copies. Melbourne 2019. External links "Explorers" on Arnold Arboretum website About Veitch Nurseries 1880 births 1921 deaths Arnold Arboretum Plant collectors