Background
Congdon was born in Pomfret, Connecticut and graduated Brown University with the class of 1855.
Congdon was born in Pomfret, Connecticut and graduated Brown University with the class of 1855.
He was admitted to the bar in Providence, Rhode Island in 1860. He served a term in the Rhode Island legislature for 1878-1879. Congdon was the botanist whom correctly diagnosed the reidiscovery of the long-lost Shortia galacifolia, a relict herb that had been long sought by Gray.
Congdon discovered over 30 new species of plants, many of which are rare and endemic to the Yosemite region, including Lewisia congdonii, Eriophyllum congdonii, Garrya congdonii, Lomatium congdonii, Monolopia congdonii, and others
Congdon"s collection in Yosemite National Park form an important record of that flora: he was the first botanist to collect the rare Yosemite bog-orchid (Platanthera yosemitensis) in 1895. A species that was not recognized as distinct until 2007 Jenkins, Charles F. (1942).
"Asa Gray and his quest for Shortia glaucifolia". Arnoldia Volume 2:13–28.
Jepson, Willis L. (1928).
"The botanical explorers of California-II". Joseph Whipple Madrono Volume 1:175–177.