Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. [90].03.23Preferred Citation:
Ellis Rowan to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1890-03-23. 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/1890-6/1890/90-03-23-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
1
Letter not found. The text given here is from a facsimile, presented as an eight-page leaflet, on the front page of
which are the decorated initials 'E R' and a printed heading, 'Ellis Rowan, 1848-1922.
| Baron Sir Ferdinand Von Mueller 1825-1896, Government Botanist of the State of Victoria
1852-1896.' The second page has a pencil sketch captioned: 'Ellis Rowan: A drawing
by The Lady Casey from a photograph taken in about 1875'. The text of the letter is on the third and fourth pages. The fifth page is marked:
'Reproduction of a letter from Ellis Rowan to Baron Sir Ferdinand Von Mueller late
19th Century.' On the sixth page is printed a photograph of a label, the writing on
which is partly obscured by flowers, marked by M: 'Helipterum Manglesii F.v.Mueller' and, in another hand, '[...] Mrs Rowans, Pictures. 19-20 West Perth'. A caption on the opposite page identifies it as 'Baron von Mueller's identification
note of a wild flower specimen sent to the National Herbarium, Melbourne by Ellis
Rowan'. The seventh page also shows a photograph of the plaque at the Melbourne Herbarium
in memory of M: the caption to this notes that M's 'interest in Mrs Rowan's work was
unflagging'. There are no details about when, why or by whom the leaflet was published. The item is dated to the 1890s on the basis of the caption. It cannot be dated more precisely.
Upper Macedon.
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Vic.
My Dear Baron,
I send you by this post a rough sketch of the plant you wished for. I think among
the last new Western Australian ones you will find some new varieties I have one very pretty Hibiscus I painted at Sharks Bay
which has a spotted leaf — when you have more time I will send them to you —
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Shark Bay, WA.
With kindest regards
Believe me
Yrs very truly
Ellis Rowan
March 23rd
Hibiscus