Document information

Physical location:

91.04.00

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Fitzgerald, 1891-04. 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/1890-6/1891/91-04-00-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

1
.Letter not found. For the text given here, see Papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 1891 (1892), p. vi (B92.13.06). M's letter was read by the secretary at the meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania on 13 May 1891, following a letter from L. Rodway that included the following explanation: '
Lobelia rhombifolia

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, found in October, 1890, on the road from St. Helens to Constable Creek by Wm. Fitzgerald. The plant was sent to me, and I forwarded it to Baron Von Mueller, and I enclose his reply.' It is dated to April 1891 as the latest likely date that it could have been sent to have been read at this meeting.
Let me congratulate you, dear Mr. Fitzgerald, for your discovery of a plant, new as regards the records of the Tasmanian flora. It is the
Lobelia rhombifolia

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of De Viese, originally found by Drummond in West Australia; in 1848 traced by me into South Australia, and since then found in some few places of Victoria. The Tasmanian locality will be recorded in my work under your honoured name.
2
M recorded the presence of this species in Tasmania in the list in B92.13.04, p. 16, but Fitzgerald was not listed as the contributor of the specimen.
Where this plant occurs perhaps you may find other rare plants yet. As you seem to take an interest in the indigenous plants of your beautiful island I would particularly remark that the floating and submerged plants there require still more attention there than any others, even as far as the small water lentils. It would be well in each instance if the specimens were pressed and dried before they are sent off, as otherwise they suffer in transit. May I advise you to send to Mr. Alex. Morton, Secretary of the Royal Society of Tasmania, a note regarding the discovery of the Lobelia in your Island, and to dry specimens for being submitted to the next meeting in Hobart.
Regardfully yours,
FERD. VON MUELLER.