Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M20, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 81.12.03

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ralph Tate to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1881-12-03. 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/81-12-03>, accessed September 11, 2025

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MS found with a sheet of
Hybanthus

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monopetalis specimens, MEL 27023. There is also an undated note in Tate's hand on University of Adelaide headed paper:.'My Dear Baron | May I have your determination of the enclosed |
Hybanthus

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filiformis? | Wilpena Pound' . It is not certain whether all of the specimens on the sheet were sent with this letter or whether some of them accompanied the undated note and others were sent in response to the request for ripe fruit in M to Tate, 28 November 1881.
Decr. 3.1881
My Dear Baron
Enclosed find specimens of
Hybanthus

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, the most advanced in fruit that I have. Many thanks for the honour you seek to do me by associating my name with this discovery.
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M appears to have been uncertain of the systematic rank of the specimen; see n. 2 to M to R. Tate, 28 November 1881.
The plant grows among stony debris of a coarse felspathic sandstone, within Wilpena Pound, partially shaded by Casuarina quadrivalvis v. glauca , and a mallee. The large petal is bright blue with darker cold.
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coloured.
radial veins – white spot at base.
Wilpena Pound is one of the most interesting spots, which I have visited in South Australia, being an elliptical depression of several hundred feet in depth – the exterior face of the bounding rocks being almost inaccessible – It is a true synclinal trough. Perennial water flows through the low ground & for some miles after its emergence from the Pound. Botanically it is a grand oasis. The 3 or 4 hours spent along the course of the creek yielded so many Southern types, that I was very loath to leave the spot. It had been arranged to spend a whole day there. But our horses behaved very badly in making Wilpena; & they could not be trusted again. As it was, after travelling 4 miles on the back journey, the delinquent of the previous day, had to be cut loose; & then we were afterwards bushed for the night 15 miles from our destination, which had to be made early next morning to enable me to make Adelaide in time for my University work.
Most of the new species for the geographical Region of the Flinders & Elders Ranges are included in my Supplement to the Census; but many of the
Cyperaceae

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& Grasses remain to be worked out.
I am arranging to visit Kangaroo Island,
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SA.
on or about the 14th instant. I shall be able to secure a landing at American River, explore the South coast about there; but I am very doubtful about getting to the westward without making a very long stay of it. Intercommunication on the island is still difficult; & the impedimenta of the botanist are great inconveniences. If possible I will make for Kingscote, as when there, I may find hospitality at two days journey from there. My movements will much depend on the encouragement which I may encounter at American River
Yrs very truly
Ralph Tate.