Document information

Physical location:

Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide, SA. 81.11.28

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Ralph Tate, 1881-11-28. 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/81-11-28>, accessed September 11, 2025

28/11/81
What you took for
Phyllanthus lacunarius

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, dear Prof Tate, is
Elatine Americana

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, Arnott. The Hybanthus is very interesting and for S.A. quite new, and so — I think — for science. I shall be happy to name it
Hybanthus Tatei

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. It combines the habit of H. debillimus
1
Hybanthus debilissimus?
(Fragm. XI, 4) with some but not all characteristics of H. filiformis. You can safely enter it into the addenda for print, though I may not be able to write at once a full diagnosis, as it will take time to compare & dissect & lot of specimens of both H. debill. & filif. for critical comparison for a good definition.
2
M was evidently unsure about the rank of this specimen. In R. Tate to M, 3 December 1881, Tate thanked him for eponymy and enclosed the requested fruit, but the letter was evidently sent before he had received M to R. Tate, 29 November 29, in which M wrote that he had decided that the specimen was a variety of H. filiformis that could be called 'var Tatei'. The uncertainty is also expressed on the relevant herbarium sheet, MEL 27023, which has two of M's labels in his hand, both giving Tate as the collector in 1881 at Wilpena Pound, SA, one with the name '
Hybanthus filiformis

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F. v. M' and the other '
Hybanthus filiformis

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F. v M. var Tatei'. In the meantime, Tate had added the name H. Tatei, with the authority 'F.v.M. M.S.', to his list in Tate (1882b), p. 102, evidently including it after the paper had been read at the meeting of the Royal Society of South Australia on 4 October 1881. In M to R. Tate, 8 December 1881, M asked whether Tate had received the description that he had sent, and in an undated letter written after June 1882 and possibly as late as November 1882 (in this edition as 82-11-00), he assured Tate that although he had not fully described the Hybanthus, it was 'nominally safe'. It is not certain whether the description sent was of H. tatei or H. filiformis var tatei, but probably the former as Tate (1890), p. 19 gives a brief description, and on p. 207 in his geographical location list states M is the author of the name. M lists H. Tatei in both B83.03.04 (p. 6) and B89.12.03 (p. 11), citing Tate (1882b), p. 102 for the publication of the name.
I am just in the midst of heavy work for the Department; but if I can find time, I will send you the diagnosis in the course of this week ; but do not delay your tour to Kang. Isl. on that account, as many other new species will be in store for you there.
3
See also M to R. Tate, 13 November 1881.
Regardfully your
Ferd von Mueller.
The unexpected heavy engagements in the Department may prevent me from redeeming my promise to send you by the 5th Dec. some more names of the Rev. Mr Kempe's plants in time; nor may I be in time with a careful examination of your Pilularia?
Regardfully
your
Ferd von Mueller
Have you a few more specimens of the Hyb. to spare for dissection & any ripe fruit so early.