Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1858-70, f. 170. 65.07.21a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Hooker, 1865-07-21 [65.07.21a]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/65-07-21a>, accessed April 19, 2025

21/7/65.
Dear Sir William.
I was delighted to hear from your worthy son, that you are restored to health
1
See J. Hooker to M, 19 May 1865.
May it please providence to grant it to you long yet and unimpaired. What is to all of us dear, your valued life, I trust you will guard to the utmost. May you long guide us all then not merely by your works but also still with your living extraordinar[y] example.
I am aware you take a profound continued interest in ferns. So let me say a few words about them. I had occasion to examine recently the fern trees of the garden. On the occasion I revised all the Australian species, and as you returned the Alsophilae undetermined & doubtful as regards their limits, I have ventured to draw up diagnoses of the two southern species, which I find very & constantly distinct. A third from the N.E. coast is very similar. But 2 others from Rockingham's Bay
2
Qld.
are remarkably different from all even the extraaustralian kinds.
Alsophila Rebeccae

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, named in honor of a lovely young Ladyfriend of mine,
3
Rebecca Nordt, a member of the Ladies' Leichhardt Committee. See Brown-May & Maroske (1994) for the circumstances of the naming.
is a truely graceful plant, the stem only 1'' diameter by 6' high. I will send living plants to Kew.
Alsophila Robertsiana

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is, if we look at the fronds merely, bearing much resemblance to
Hypolepis tenuifolia

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&
Polypodium rugosulum

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.
4
rugulosum?
— So with
Cyatheae

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&
Osmunda

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we know now 8 treeferns in Australia; RBr had 3; - and it is not unlikely that future researches in the jungles of N.E. Australia (but only there) will add to the number. Whenever your synopsis will be completed,
5
Hooker and Baker (1868)
I shall, if I live, draw up a special little publication on all the ferns of Australia, there being here like at home a predilection manifested for this tribe of plants.
Ever with profound regards your
Ferd Mueller
I have to express my thanks for the handsome manner in which you referred to my contributions in your report.
6
In his Report for 1864, dated 1 January 1865, Hooker did not treat M differently from others named, but listed him as a contributor to the Botanic Gardens, the Arboretum and Winter Garden, and the Herbarium and Library.