Document information

Physical location:

70.10.00

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Samuel Hannaford, 1870-10. 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/1870-9/1870/70-10-00-final.odt>, accessed June 9, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here comes from 'The Cape Weed', a letter to the editor of the Mercury (Hobart), 29 October 1870 (B70.10.02). Hannaford introduced the quoted extract by:
SIR, - I addressed you some few days since [see Mercury, 19 October 1870, p. 2] on the subject of this plant having found its way to this colony, and at the same time communicated with Dr. Ferdinand Von Mueller, Government Botanist of Victoria, with a view to ascertain what steps might be taken to eradicate it. He writes me to the following effect:
You are quite right in your supposition that the dreadful weed (
Cryptosperma Candularium

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2
Printer's error for Cryptostemma calendulaceum ?
has found its way to Tasmania. Prevent, if possible, its seeding this spring by pulling up and burning every plant before it advances any further in growth. If already too far spread, all you can do is to cut it now, while in flower, and to burn what is cut. By such means the quantity of seed formed will of course be very much reduced, though you will not be able to prevent the plant from seeding altogether. Although cattle and sheep in want of something better will take to this herb, it is not touched by them readily; and, moreover, it being a spring plant, it disappears at the season when fresh herbage is roamed after by the stock, and it suppresses better plants.