Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 66.04.17
Plant names
-
Ptychosperma Alexandrae
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Ptychosperma Alexandrae
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Preferred Citation:
Handasyde, McMillan & Co. to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1866-04-17. 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/66-04-17>, accessed April 20, 2025
1
MS found with a specimen of Archontophoenix cunninghamii.
Melbourne, 17th Ap/66
Dr Mueller,
Government Botanist &c &c
Melbourne Botanic Gardens
Dear Sir,
We have recd a communication from Mr Nernst together with plants and seeds of another
palm
He says "You will find specimens of another species of Ptychosperma I have found lately
at the head of Moores Creek, near Rockhampton In fructification it is similar to the
Alexandra Palm, but the following differences are noticeable. The leaves are green
on
both
sides The flowering panicles are covered with a tomentosum of a kind of reddish violet
tinge: the panicles are also more slender than with P. Alexandrae
I have not been able to find any new seeds. I enclose a few of the old ones. They
appear to be very like the "Alexandrae".
The shape of the fronds of this palm is also different from the Alexandrae. The leaves
nearest the trunk are very small in the middle: they are much broader than with the
Alexandrae and towards the point they again run very slender. The difference in the
breadth of the spinni
of the Alexandrae is not very great.
2
spinae?
From the palm I sent you last this one is at once distinguished by the fructification."
"If you will forward these specimens to Dr Mueller he will be able to tell you whether
the species is new or not, or whether it will be made a variety of
. I shall send you perfect seeds as soon as I am able but it will probably not be
for some months yet.
Ptychosperma Alexandrae
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I shall also try to get flowering specimens of the palm with the grooved seeds. I
forgot to mention that the height of this one sent now is from 40 to 60 feet and having
very slender stems.
m Thozet has made a drawing of the other palm which will be sent to Dr Mueller
The dry panicles on the top of the box belong to the palm with the grooved seeds"
A very few young plants of this last new Palm were recd one or two of the largest
of which will be sent from the nursery by an early opportunity.
The specimens are in very bad order notwithstanding which we have not handled them
and have sent you the whole
We hope this this communication will have some interest to you
We are
Dear Sir
Yours faithfully
Handasyde McMillan & Co.