Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M20, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 95.11.12a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ralph Tate to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1895-11-12 [95.11.12a]. 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/95-11-12a>, accessed September 11, 2025

November 12, 1895
My Dear Baron,
I am leaving this afternoon for my farm, to stay there till the end of the week, so that further revision of the Elder plants will be deferred till my return. The interval will be devoted to the conclusion of the Geological Report of the Horn Expedition.
I have not yet touched the Myrtaceae, Compositae and Dampierae of the Elder Collection; but it is only in respect of the last that there remains much to be done.
Examination-work
1
i.e. at the University of Adelaide.
which commences on the 18th will break into any continuous leisure, which is so needful to accomplish much in the way of critical study, for about three weeks from that date
Yrs sincerely
Ralph Tate
Elder Expedition Plants.
2
There are two separate lists filed with the letter, each with the same heading, one of which (the first transcribed here) has been annotated by Tate in red ink: ' 7/11/95. R. Tate .' Every item on both lists has been marked by Tate in red or black ink, indicating that he went over them several times before sending them to M. The lists are early stages in the working up of the report by M and Tate on the botany of the Elder Expedition (B96.14.02).
Daviesia sp. 1. near Warangering.
3
WA. Many of the locality names that appear in Tate’s lists do not appear on modern gazeteers. The published report indicates whether they were in SA (which included NT at the time) or WA. Most appear to be features in the Victoria Desert, and the names to be those given to these features by the local Aboriginal people.
By its calyx-teeth comes near D. pachylina
Bossiaea Walkeri

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? You have the only specimen. Compare the foliage with that of Brachysema aphyllum ; if my memory does not deceive me, I think this will prove the true location.
Phyllota

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sp. from Karoling,
4
WA.
is indeterminate perhaps a
Gompholobium

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5
This entry is marked with a pencil line in the margin. Only one species of
Phyllota

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is listed in B96.14.02, namely P. Luehmanni (p. 350), said to have been collected in the Victoria Desert, WA.
Swainsonia microphylla

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.
is I
think
correct
Swainsonia stipularis

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"
"
"
Swainsonia canescens ? I refer to S. phacoides .
6
The three ‘Swainsonia’ entries are bracketed in pencil.
Kennedya prostrata .
7
This entry is marked with a pencilled question mark in the margin.
Has no flowers, but the pod is cylindrical; and therefore rightly named.
Cassia Sophera . Example unique in University Herbarium but is rightly named.
Acacia n. sp from between Red Kangaroo Hill and Yilgarn
8
Not identified.
was reserved for future study by you
Cryptandra pungens ( v. nutans )? Victoria Desert.
Cryptandra ( Spyridium ) off complicata ? Victorian Desert. I cannot refer to description of S. rotundifolia my material is in very indifferent condition
9
The Cryptandra are bracketed in the margin.
Didiscus glaucifolius (with slight variation from typical examples) Is certainly right. New for W.A.
Didiscus coeruleus unique example from near Esperance Bay.
10
WA.
This determination does not admit of doubt
11
The Didicus are bracketed in the margin.
Hydrocotyle aff muriculata = H. trachycarpa , without granules on the fruitlets.
Actinotus leucocephalus . Dwarfed state, tallest specimens attaining to four inches.
Haloragis odontocarpa . Specimen with out fruit, but the foliage and habit comparable with an authentic example from Darling River
12
NSW?
Haloragis sp ., near Barrow Ramge is indeterminable, probably H. Gossei
Haloragis confertifolia the nearest approach which I can offer
Haloragis aculeolata . Your specimen is unique
13
The Haloragis are bracketed in the margin.
Exocarpos ? sp. Victoria Desert. The crowded leaves suggest E. odorata
Canthium sp. Victoria Desert. The flowers are like those of C. lucidum , but the shape of leaves is very different and so also, apparently, the venation
Opercularia spermacocea , from Yerdanie,
14
WA.
is I think rightly named; but with it from Victoria Desert is
O. aff echinocephala differing there from by sessile leaves and the flowers stalked above the last leaves.
Scaevola parvifolia Is I consider correct
Scaevola anchusiaefolia ?
15
Scaevola anch usaefol ia?
Is closely allied to S. depauperata , from which it differs by larger flowers, acute sepal-points, and hairy style.
Scaevola fasiculata
16
Scaevola f ascic ulata ?
Is I think correct.
Goodenia lamprosperma ? May be a state of G. heteromera .
Goodenia cycloptera from Warrina
17
SA?
is rightly named; but the Barrow Range
18
WA.
plant is doubtful, as the flowers are not spurred.
Goodenia Mitchelli
19
G. Mitchellii ?
from Arcoeillinna Well
20
SA.
seems a typical form of G. heterochila
Goodenia aff Mueckiana
21
G. Mu eckean a?
from Barrow Range & Camp 50 seems to be a varietal form of G. heteroclita .
Goodenia aff sepalosa from Macdonnell Range
22
NT.
with viscid leaves, which you altered to G. heterochila , is a distinct species. The fruits are oblong-cylindric, the dissepiment fully half the length of fruit, seeds lenticular, small, with a narrow callous border.
23
MS annotation by Tate in red: 'Your approbation is early desired. R. Tate.'
Goodenia tenella
}
correct names wanted
Goodenia aff tenella
Goodenia heteromera . Is I think correct.
Goodenia hirsuta . Arkaringa Valley
24
SA.
& Barrow Range. Though it recalls G. hederacea , yet I think this new species might be transferred to
Catosperma

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. Ripe fruits not seen; ovary 2-celled; 10 ovules in each cell, mostly ascending, some apparently pendulous, attached throughout the whole length of the complete septum; stigma-cover shortly 2-cleft
Elder Expedition Plants.
Solanum
simile . Is right, having globose fruits
—
ellipticum. I consider correct
var. pannifolium . Victoria Desert
—
petrophilum . I consider correct
Anthocercis microphylla

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"
"
Dicrastylis

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spp. =
Breweria rosea

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Stemodia viscosa is correctly named.
Prostanthera
Wilkieana , a variety with small flowers and very silky pubescence
—
Baxteri right for S.A. and Victoria; but the specimens from Gnarlbine & Knutsford
25
Both WA.
are perhaps
—
Campbelli
26
P. Campbellii ?
Teucrium sessiliflorum . Right, has narrower leaf-segments than ordinarily.
—
grandiflorum .
27
Teucrium grandiusculum?
agrees with type.
Microcorys

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sp. the unique example is in your possession
Halgania
tomentosa n. sp. not attachable to any described species
—
integerrima = cyanea, var
—
littoralis = cyanea var.
—
cyanea , var. with narrow entire leaves, cymes reduced to few flowers.
—
corymbosa v. sericiflora . Seemingly one or the other.
Heliotropium paniculatum = H. tenuifolium , paniculate form of (no flowers in my specimen.
Chloanthes Drummondi
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Name not in APNI.
= loxocarpa from Victoria Desert. Cannot arrive at any satisfactory rest. Cor. 5-lobed, calyx deeply 5-cleft, stamens 4.
Chloanthes ? n. sp. near Southern Cross.
29
WA.
Cor. unequally 5-lobed, calyx deeply divided; stamens 4, 2 long & 2 short; anthers devaricate ovary lobeless; fruit with a hollow base separating into two 1-seeded fruitlets, dissepiment incomplete above.
Newcastlia n. sp . off Dixoni Style shortly bilobed
Thelymitra fuscolutea
}
I see no reason to alter these names
Diuris emarginata
Amgozanthus rufa
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Anigozanthus rufus?
Thysanotus arbuscula the species name preferable to dichotomus
Bartlingia grandiflora Agrees with description
Arthropodium Preissii You have the unique example
Xerotes fimbriatus
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Xerotes fimbriata ?
Seemingly right; flowers bisexual in all examined
Xanthorrhoea gracilis
Appears
correct.
Juncus communis
"
"
Restiaceae

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. The four species of this Order beat me, firstly I have
little knowledge of our Australian species, and secondly three species are representing
32
sic.
by male flowers only. I framed a synopsis of the genera based on the androccium, but it was not workable. Species no. 2. has male & female flowers in the same spikelet, and in habit would seem to be a sp. of
Ecideicolea

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;
33
Ecdeicolea?
but there are 2 bracteoles under each flower as in
Anarthria

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. However there is only one ovule
34
There is a small pencil sketch here:
in the ovulary, as the result of three observations by slight crushing under the microscope. I enclose some separated flowers.
35
Sp. 1. may be Loxocarya has been deleted, presumably by Tate.
Cyperus
fulvus . Is right not included in your set
—
rotundus . based on the foliage and edible corms & compared with the Finke
36
Finke River, NT.
plant.
Fimbristylis communis . nut not seen, but otherwise correct.
Isolepis cartilagineus .
37
Isolepis cartilaginea?
I have no doubt about
Lepidosperma n. sp . (Section Tereticaules) from Mt Ilbillee.
38
SA.
This is certainly new for S.A I cannot attach it with any described species from W.A though it is seemingly near to leptostachyum
Lepidosperma leptophyllum ? Karoling. Is like semiteres , but the stems are more compressed, it is probably L. gracile
Lepidosperma gracile , Fraser Range.
39
WA.
I consider correct
Lepidosperma Drummondii & L. resinosum = L. Drummondii , because of the acute glumes. The fewer sterile flowers, broader stems & loose panicle separate it from viscidum
Panicum effusum . A unique ex.
40
example?
not sent, but is rightly named
Aristida
ramosa . Unique in your set.
—
calycina appears to be right
Eriachne spp. belong to E. mucronata , E. scleranthoides and E. aristidea . Do you confirm?
Astrebla pectinata is unique in your set
Eragrostis tenella ? = tricophylla
41
trichophylla ?
E. falcata , eriopoda & setifolia to be re examined
E. pilosa unique ex. not sent agrees with Finke plant
Triraphis n. sp no. 1 & 2. = T. bromoides . Do you confirm?