Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS found with a specimen of Astrotricha (MEL 281739).

Telamon, Springsure

November 1st 1873

Baron Von Mueller

Melbourne

Dear Baron

I have very much pleasure in forwarding to you herewith enclosed a portion of the Blossom of Sir Thos Mitchell's Plume Plant.

2

'resembling the plume of a staff-officer', together with an illustration; Mitchell (1848), p. 219.

I was fortunate enough to see it yesterday and immediately siezed it for you. If you have not previously been furnished with a better specimen this one may perhaps be of some slight service to you.

The specimen I send you is the extreme apex of the Plant, and as you will perceive, the blossom branches out all round the stem similar to the leaves. The whole of the Flower, is about eighteen inches in length, of those that I saw, it is of a dark Purple colour, and has a very handsome appearance, but this is at the expense of the lower part of the stem; which looks withered and draggled. If I possibly can, I will watch these Plants and try and get some of the seed for you. The Habitat of the Plant is amongst Sandstone rocks in coarse white sand-stone ridges, in country of a worthless character, to any but a Botanist. If you try to produce the Plant artificially, it would be necessary, I think to furnish it with these requisites, as I have invariably found it in soil, and country of that description.

I should take pleasure in sending you specimens if I knew what would be useful to you, But I know so little of botany, that I am ignorant of what is rare, and what is as common as every day. Plants seem all common to me, but I am aware that, that is from want of knowledge. I shall be glad to know if this reaches you safely and if it is in sufficient preservation to be of any service.