Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M5, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 78.11.29

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Frederick Bailey to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1878-11-29. 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/1870-9/1878/78-11-29-final.odt>, accessed June 5, 2026

1
MS found with specimen of Gymnema pleiadenium (MEL 1515481). MS annotated by M: 'Answ 6/12/78.' Letter not found. However, in his notebook under 30 November 1878 Bailey recorded sending this letter, and in a note evidently added later wrote: 'The Baron thinks this differs enough to constitute a new species and recommends G. pleiadenium FvM' (Notebook, Colonial Botanist, Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane).
Robert Street
Brisbane Nov 29th /78
Baron Ferd von Mueller
My dear Sir
I am glad to have received the news of the although gradual return of your health — I wrote you some time back about the somewhat confused state of your genus Astrebla in the Flora
2
See Bentham (1863-78), vol. 7, pp. 602-3.
in which your species A. elymoides has been lost I believe mixed up with A. pectinata and as we are issuing another twentyfive illustrations of our grasses with letterpress I have had to describe A. elymoides myself for you never informed me in what work you described and it is not in your Fragmenta. I have given you as the authority of name so please forgive any any discrepancies in my description when you receive a copy which I hope will be shortly
3
Bailey described '
Astrebla elymoides

Search for Astrebla elymoides in

, F. v. Muell.' in Bailey (1879), 8th plate, where he stated: 'I cannot find where Baron Mueller described it, but it has been described by him under the above appropriate name'. No description of this species by M has been found (APNI, accessed 19 November 2020).
By the bye that Tecoma? Hillii is a fine flower. What a pity we shall have no seed for have an idea that it may not be a Tecoma there would have been plenty of seed only the forman of the Gardens
4
Walter Hill.
who it seems discovered the plant wrote to me to come and see it in flower and seeing me at the plant went to it after I left (I am told by the forman) and plucked every flower and young fruit off the plant for what reason I cannot tell it was a mad headed trick. We are on speaking terms but he always opposes me. I saw him yesterday and he pointed out to me some (two) nice young trees of the large fig he found on Bellenden Ker.
5
Mt Bellenden Ker, Qld.
but he never will show me the specimens he brought from there of anything. On one of the fences was a fine plant of the enclosed
Gymnema micradenia

Search for Gymnema micradenia in

Benth or that is what I make it he did not know it but said he thought he got it from the Pine River.
6
Qld.
I think you might as well note in the Fragmenta (if agreeable) the mistake with regard to follicle in Flora see Vol IV 344 also the small hard somewhat sharp dark colored glands on lamina of leaf are often ten, the color of flower cream sepals reflexed. The rest you will see from specimen enclosed.
7
M used the specimen to describe Gymnema pleiadenium, crediting Hill and Bailey with its discovery (B79.01.01, p. 78).
First opportunity I will send you the spotted gum flower. And also when I receive them flowers of the others
If you take a trip up north I would not advise leaving before the cool weather sets in
You have not had time to look at the new form of
Daviesia

Search for Daviesia in

&c &c &c that I have sent during your unfortunate illness I suppose.
The elections have taken up everybodys attention so I have had no chance of saying anything of the Eucalypt publication.
8
B79.13.11? It is possible that M had asked Bailey to seek Qld Government funds to extend the scope of Eucalyptographia, see M to the Adelaide Chamber of Manufactures, September 1878.
had you not better write our Government on the subject and also regarding the supp. vol of Flora
9
The proposed supplementary volume of Flora australiensis was never published.
Mr Gregory says if you could give No of Camp he might help about the
Ephedra

Search for Ephedra in

-like tree
Your very truly
F M Bailey