Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M61, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 81.01.29

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Paul Foelsche to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1881-01-29. 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/81-01-29>, accessed September 11, 2025

1
MS found with a specimen of Corymbia dunlopiana (MEL 706611), labelled by M as collected by John Burkitt, Port Darwin, 1881. MS annotation by M: 'Beantw 22/2/81' [Answered 22 February 1881]. Letter not found.
Palmerston
29th Jan. 1881
Geehrter Herr Baron
Hiermit schicke ich Ihnen in separatem Pakete einen kleinen Zweig, Blätter und Blüthen von einer Art Eucalyptus die ein Freund von mir im Lande gefunden hat. Sie werden bemerken dass der Zweig und Stamm der Blätter ganz stachelicht ist. Ist dies die Eucalyptus phoenicea? — Ich werde noch mehr Blüthen besorgen auch womöglich Knospen, und Samen & Hülsen wenn reif.
Ich schicke hiermit mein Freund sein Brief, damit Sie die Beschreibung des Baumes sehen können.
Es scheint mir sonderbar dass dieser Baum jetzt blüth ist das der Euc. miniata im June, July & August blueth.
Mit der Hoffnung bald hierüber von Ihnen zu hören verbleibe ich
Achtungsvoll
Ihr ergebener
Paul Foelsche.
Palmerston
2
Now Darwin, NT.
29th January 1881
Esteemed Baron,
Herewith I am sending you in a separate parcel a small branch, leaves and flowers of a species of Eucalyptus, which a friend of mine has found in the country. You will notice that the branch and leaf stem is quite prickly. Is this
Eucalyptus phoeniacea

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? — I will get some more flowers, also if possible buds, seeds and capsules when ripe.
I enclose herewith my friend's letter,
3
Foelsche has written his letter on the back of the letter sent to him by John Burkitt, Glencoe, NT, 24 January 1881: 'Under separate cover I send a small specimen from a tree which may be the pink flowered Eucalyptus which you wish to obtain. The shape of the flower and seed vessels are very similar to those of the eucalyptus in other respects, however there is some difference. You will observe that the small twigs and lower sides of the leaves are rough: this is a noticeable peculiarity, the tree which has a dark rough bark is small and scraggy, the general height being from 12 to 15 feet, it bears a great quantity of blossom and as the flowers are large and bright, there is a possibility that with care and culture the tree might be converted into a sightly if not an ornamental one. I will endeavour to obtain seed when it matures. Please ascertain and inform me if I have all this time been barking up the wrong tree: amateurs must however be prepared to find their tails between their legs occasionally …'.
so you can see the description of the tree.
It seems odd to me, that this tree flowers now. Is this the
Eucalyptus miniata

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, which flowers in June, July and August?
In the hope of hearing from you soon about this, I remain
respectfully
your devoted
Paul Foelsche.