Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 89.03.07

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

William Clarson to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1889-03-07. 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/1880-9/1889/89-03-07-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

1
MS found with a specimen of
Cuscuta

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tasmanica (MEL 2245859). MS annotation by M: 'Answ 11/3/89'. Letter not found.
The College
Dooen,
2
Longerenong Agricultural College, Vic.
Mar 7th 1889
Baron, Sir F. von Mueller KCMG.
My dear Baron,
I take the liberty of enclosing for your inspection and naming, specimens of three plants
No 1. —
Atriplex

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(? var) used to be the great fattening plant for stock on the great plains of the Wimmera district
3
Vic.
but it is only to be met with now in isolated or protected spots where stock cannot approach.
No 2. ?
Kochia pyramidata

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was also a great standby in drought in this region but it has shared the same fate as the
Atriplex

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having been eaten out by stock and not having a chance of maturing its seed — the penalty Australia is paying for the squatting system, for many valuable plants are nearly extinct on the vast plains once occupied by the sheep and cattle of the squatters.
No 3 is certainly a
Cuscuta

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or Dodder, and it prevails over portions of the plains which have not been ploughed or cultivated. I do not know whether it would be likely to infest useful plants on cultivated areas but it is not at all partial to any one plant as a host here, as it adheres to fully 20 different genera
4
Cuscuta

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comprises a number of parasitic or hemiparasitic species.
Very faithfully your
William Clarson