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Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1871-81, ff. 315-16. 81.08.26

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1881-08-26. 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/81-08-26>, accessed September 11, 2025

26/8/81.
Since I wrote to you, dear Sir Joseph, I have received from King George's Sound
1
WA.
dried plants, corresponding to the species of Andersonia, transmitted to you in the Wardian Case. I find however, that my order was only improperly carried out, in as much as two species only with blue corolla were sent, namely A. caerulea & A. depressa, and that instead of A. variegata, which is the third species (unless also A. micrantha) with blue corollas, my collector sent you
Andersonia homalostoma

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, which latter has both calyx & corolla pink. However as the A. homalostoma is also new for British-culture, I hope it will not come amiss.
2
See M to J. Hooker, 12 July 1881 and notes thereto. The plants all arrived dead.
I trust you will figure the two blue-flowered ones, after all the trouble & expense to which I have been put in this affair. If you consider, that out of about 300
Epacrideae

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hitherto known, only 3 or perhaps 4 have blue corollas, and if you bear in mind, how rare the blue is in flowers of
Ericeae

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, then you will be glad to bring this aberration of color (of the purest blue) readily & prominently under notice through your Magazine.
Kindly return the Ward's Case filled with some rare plants to me, such as I can grow before the little cottage, where I am compelled to do my officework.
As the freight has been paid by me for this sending to Kew, perhaps you will kindly arrange for the free return-sending of the Wards Case also.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller.
A. depressa, as you will see, has the calyx nearly white , not pink as in most others. The case was shipped by the P & O Steamer from K G Sound early in August. I have no bill of Loading; so kindly let the Kew Agent look out for the Case. The Chief Officer of the Steamer, who deserves some compliment from you, took particular care in giving the case a good place.