Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1882-90, f. 143. 85.04.24

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1885-04-24. 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/1880-9/1885/85-04-24-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

24/4/85.
1
MS annotations And June 22/85' [letter not found] and Two stems of
Xanthorrhoea australis

Search for Xanthorrhoea australis in

arrd at Kew ex S.S. "Garonne" June 20th 1885. They are apparently in perfectly healthy condition W.W. [presumably William Watson, assistant curator from 1885].
Our autumn here, dear Sir Joseph, is the best time for lifting Xanthorrhoeas; so I have procured 2 about 120 miles from Melbourne and send them now quite fresh by the "Garrone" packed in a strong close case; Mr Dyer having expressed a wish to be supplied for Kew with any of the species.
2
Letter not found but see M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 25 January 1885 (in this edition as 85-01-25a).
The one, now sent, is the true X. australis.
Regardfully
your
Ferd. von Mueller.
X. australis needs heathy-moory sand-soil, which from time to time should be renewed otherwise the plant simply dies from exhaustion.