Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M11, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 89.03.02a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Alfred Howitt to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1889-03-02 [89.03.02a]. 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/89-03-02a>, accessed May 18, 2024

1
MS found with a specimen of Eucalyptus rubida (MEL 706375), from Morwell River, Vic.
Sale
2
All places mentioned are Vic.
Mch 2 /89
Dear Baron
You will remember my writing to you about an Eucalypt which grows extensively about Dargo, Omeo & generally on the mountain plateau and which in spite of its peculiar young form I cannot place with any type but that of E. Viminalis.
3
Letter not found; the description of the bark is quite dissimilar to that of another species from near Dargo that was unhestitatingly referred to E. gunnii in A. Howitt to M, 8 February 1889.
I now find that South of Morwell it grows as the principal forest tree together with E. Pauciflora — thus maintaining the same companionship which occurs in the mountains. E. Amygdalina (the narrow leaved common variety) also grows there with a few rare examples of E. Stuarteana
4
E. stuartiana?
of the common type. In the river valley (Morwell River) the ordinary form of E. Viminalis occurs.
The tree to which I now refer as growing here as well as in the mountains, has precisely the same characters as those of similar Eucalypts at Omeo. The bark decortates almost to the ground leaving the tree smooth and white — occasionally the bark before peeling off has a characteristic smooth reddish or coppery cast. The young seedlings very much resemble those of E pulverulenta as do the saplings up to say 5 ft in height. More so than they do those of E. Stuarteana. This tree as at Omeo &c is the "Manna Gum". In the season the supply of manna in "crumb" is most plentiful.
yours faithfully
A W Howitt