The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Kew ¶ May 14 /81. ¶ My dear Baron ¶ ¶ I am in receipt of yours of 5/2/81, asking about the well-being of the ¶ Livistona ¶ ¶ australis ¶ : ¶ — it is alive & there is every reason to expect that i...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M3, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 81.05.14

Plant names

Correa Lawrenciana
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Eucalyptus Gunnii
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Livistona australis
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Pilocarpus
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- Australian Plant Name Index
Sollya
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- Australian Plant Name Index

Preferred Citation:

Joseph Hooker to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1881-05-14. 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/81-05-14>, accessed September 11, 2025

MS embossed with crest of Royal Gardens Kew.

Kew

May 14 /81.

My dear Baron

I am in receipt of yours of 5/2/81, asking about the well-being of the Livistona australis :

M to J. Hooker, 5 February 1881 (in this edition as 81-02-05a). Hooker had reported the safe arrival of the Livistona in J. Hooker to M, 6 October 1880.

— it is alive & there is every reason to expect that it will continue to live, & eventually become a fine plant — but the evolution of fully formed leaves & of a crown of them will I fear be a very long affair, and will disappoint the nurserymen.

You ask about the results of the many packets of seeds which you have from time to time sent us — these have yielded a large harvest of plants, but as in the case of all tropical countries it is a very small portion that are worth cultivation, & still fewer worth figuring. Many are shrubs that only flower after getting old & then have very inconspicuous flowers. I today saw a pretty little (from you) coming into flower, which may I hope be worth figuring.

You ask me to allow you to finish the N. Queensland Flora.

See M to J. Hooker, 16 March 1881 and 23 March 1881.

I only hope that you will do so, I have not the smallest intention of meddling with it & never had. I was not aware that Hill had gone collecting for Kew — but am glad to hear that we may expect some Palms from him.

The red var. of looks well & will doubtless flower: — though I cannot believe it would be hardy with us. No australian or Tasmanian plant is hardy in S. of England: a few as withstand , or rather exist under our atrocious climate — but none thrive & no Correa would stand a single winter.

I was not aware of the value of in diptheria.

See M to J. Hooker, 23 March 1881.

I have received the new Edition of "Select Plants"

B81.13.10.

from Sydney, with many thanks

Ever sincerly yr

Jos D Hooker