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71.12.00b

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Edward Bowman, 1871-12 [71.12.00b]. 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/1870-9/1871/71-12-00b-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

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Letter not found. The text given here is from 'The poison plant', a letter to the Editor of the Peak Downs telegram and advertiser from Edward M. Bowman, Botanical Collector, dated Gainsford [Qld], 8 December 1871.
It is introduced by 'Sir, — In a letter which I have just received from Baron F. von Mueller, with reference to the poison plant (
Gastrolobium

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Grandiflorum of Botanists) he says:— '.
Bowman follows the quotation by
The hint about keeping, cattle, &c., from water, may be of use to persons who have to travel in the locality where it grows. If any one would take the trouble to gather a few ripe seeds of the plant, they would be very acceptable at the Botanical Gardens, Melbourne. Also, if a sufficient quantity of the leaves could be gathered (say five or six pounds weight) to make a perfect analysis, it would be of great use, as in all probability an antidote would be discovered. If the leaves are sent to me I will undertake that a full report shall be made.
The letter is dated to December 1871 as the last date that it could have been written to have been received by Bowman in time for him to write his letter, but it may have been written earlier, depending upon whether Bowman was in the field or at home when the letter was received at Gainsford.
The best thing to save flocks and cattle that have fed on
Gastrolobium

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, is to prevent them from drinking for a while. No antidote is as yet known to me; but my opportunities for experiment are very limited, as I have not even the particular species in cultivation.