Page 62 - Early Naturalists of the Black Range
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George Thurber
1851: George Thurber was assigned to the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey of 1848 as a botanist. In that capacity, he collected many specimens (including type specimens) which were formally described by Asa Gray. An account of his activities has to be cobbled up from the specimen listings in the “Botany” volume of the survey report.
The specimen sheet shown to the right is not listed as a lectotype for Robinia neomexicana, New Mexico Locust, but it was collected in May 1851 by Thurber. The official lectotype was collected from the “dry hills on the Mimbres, New Mexico, May 1851”.
The photograph above was taken in Railroad Canyon of the Black Range during July 2017. Following the Silver Fire of 2013, New Mexico Locust grew back quickly and aggressively. Many a cut and poke was experienced by hikers in the years immediately following the fire.
Like that of many other collectors, Thurber’s work in this area is limited to specimen listings - and they are extensive. His collection is housed in the Gray Herbarium at Harvard University. Following his work on the Boundary Survey he returned to the East and taught at several universities. From 1873-1880 he served as President of the Torrey Botanical Club.
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