The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ The plant, which here received the name ‘flat-weed,’ and which in your district and other parts proved hurtful to horses, is botanically known as ‘Hypochaeris radicata.’ It is indigenous in Europe,...

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89.04.00c

Plant names

Hypochaeris radicata
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Ferdinand von Mueller to Clement Macan, 1889-04 [89.04.00c]. 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/1880-9/1889/89-04-00c-final.odt>, accessed June 15, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Stringhalt', Australasian, 20 April 1889 (B89.04.06). In his letter to the editor, C. A. Macan of Warragul wrote: ‘I have been patiently waiting the result of Mr. Kendal’s experiments towards effecting a cure, or enlightening the public with reference to the horse sent down from Warragul by Mr. Lusado badly affected with the so-called stringhalt. As scientific discoveries are not alone confined to professional men, I confidently expect some intelligent and observant layman to solve this stringhalt difficulty, and prescribe a cure as well as point the cause. The flat-weed theory I cannot myself accept, especially when I know that both sheep and cattle thrive upon it without becoming affected in any way. I have spoken to practical men who agree with me in this. I lately sent a specimen to Baron von Mueller asking its botanical and medicinal properties. He writes:—‘.

The plant, which here received the name ‘flat-weed,’ and which in your district and other parts proved hurtful to horses, is botanically known as ‘ .’ It is indigenous in Europe, Western Asia, Northern Africa, in Britain very common. The medieval physicians ascribed to it medicinal properties, and drew it thus much into therapeutic (curative) use, though it has in recent times not received attention in this respect. No injurious effect seems to have been observed as caused by this herb in Britain, so far as I am aware. […]

Macan then wrote: 'He then goes on to say that there is no growth in winter at home, whilst with us the plant is still growing. He says that’.

over-stocking has in a measure destroyed the weaker grasses and herbs, whilst the hypodioeris

Printer’s error for 'hypochaeris'?

takes possession of the soil to an extent unknown in colder climes; that mixed with other vegetation it would be harmless, but when in preponderance any injurious properties may be brought into action.

Macan concluded: ‘Scarifying the land and sowing grass seeds is suggested as a partial cure of the flatweed. I would suggest that £5 a piece be offered by all the agricultural societies in Victoria as a premium to anyone who will in an intelligent and comprehensive manner explain the nature of this epidemic, and by certified test cure one or more badly-affected animals; £100 paid away in this way would be public money well spent. The remedy would, of course, be pro bono publico. In Gippsland, I am sure, many breeders would gladly supplement the amount, and make it £200 if they could get a cure.’