Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 63.09.11c

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

John Dallachy to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1863-09-11 [63.09.11c]. 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//letters/1860-9/1863/63-09-11c-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
MS found with a specimen of Melodorum leichhardtii (MEL 2183273). Annotated in M’s hand: ‘Melodorum Leichhardtii’.
No 33
Mount Mueller
2
Qld. The name does not appear in modern gazeteers.
11th September 1863
This is the best plant that I have ever met with in Queens land – the flowers are of a deep orange colour flowers numerous more fragrant than the Magnolia Fuscata I found it out by its powerful perfume. The plants support themselves on other trees its a stragling grower, I think. The foliage is dark green the deep orange colour of the flowers and dark green leaves has a fine appearance. No fruit I am sorry to say. This plant must belong to the Magnolia Order of Plants. I should like to see this plant growing in every garden in Melbourne. I found a Dwarf Bush in the lower part of the climb and I think with good training it would form a splendid shrub. I […] near the tope of Mount Mueller but I was not able to get to the very tope of this mountain yet. Shall some time.
JD.
You can smell the flowers of this plant all through the forest