15/3/82.
This time I have the pleasure, dear Sir Joseph, to send to you (and to
you
only) the fresh seeds of the beautiful
, which never yet found its way to the tanks of European Conservatories. The seeds
were quite ripe; — but as I have failed in repeated attempts to introduce this interesting
aquatic plant by means of dried seeds, I now send (in a separate parcel) some in a
phial with a little water. The
testa
being
mucilaginous
, I fear that the wet seeds in the little phial will go to decay, though I filled
up the glass with seeds nearly to the top. Those in the moist clay may decay also;
so I
dried
some in clay, besides others in blotting paper. I feel sure, the Gardener in charge
of your aquatics will take more than ordinary care with these seeds.
The plant is not near Melbourne, therefore it involves always some considerable trouble
to get seeds; as waterfowl feed on the fruits of this Ottelia, it is rendered still
more difficult to get seeds. As regards
temperature
of the water, for growing these seeds, they might be tried in the basins of the hot-house
and also temperate House, this Ottelia, unlike O. alismoides, being extratropical
as well as intratropical. In the flora Australiensis it is not recorded from South
Australia,
but I found it near the Lower Murray-River in swamps already in 1848. I feel sure
that O. tenera is only a form of this O. ovalifolia.
The water is usually not very deep, where this grows, but not shallow either. There
being lots of seeds, experiments could readily be made by throwing simply some of
the clay with the seeds therein on the bottom of your tanks, while some might be put
into pans nearer the surface. Excuse me for dilating so far on the subject, but I
should like to be the
first
to introduce this Ottelia into Europe, just as I am anxious to see the blue-flowered
s there.
I still seek some pride, in sharing in
horticultural
work &
ever
shall, even if out of private poor resources.
I am glad to learn, that the cases of dried plants from R Brown's collection (and
perhaps some Indian surplus) are coming here, and will
reciprocate
for so grand a gift.
Indeed I have a lot of
rare
East Australian woods & other things in readiness for Kew.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller
The Ottelia is likely to produce seeds in your tanks or waterbasins, so that it can
be further distributed in Europe.
I am glad, that Mr Webb
is sending lots of things to Kew, especially as this communication of his was initiated
by me.
