The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ These Todeas will only endure slight frosts, and they like some irrigation. During my forty-five years of uninterrupted researches in Australia, I have only met with about ten gigantic specimens of...

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92.05.00

Plant names

Todea
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Ferdinand von Mueller to Edward Wright, 1892-05. 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/1890-6/1892/92-05-00-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'A giant barbara', Gardeners' chronicle, 16 July 1892, p. 72 (B92.07.03). It is an account of a barbara presented to Trinity College Dublin, 'consigned to the care of Dr. Ed. Perceval Wright, F.R.S., the Professor of Botany in the Dublin University as a "peace offering," owing to [M’s] being unavoidably prevented from accepting a special invitation to be present at the tercentenary celebrations.' (For invitation, see University of Dublin to M, 4 December 1891 [in this edition as 91-12-04a].) The letter is dated to May 1892 as the latest that the specimen could have been shipped to reach Dublin by early July. The extract is introduced by

This enormous Fern was discovered a few months ago in a narrow ravine in one of the ranges between Port Phillip and Gipp's-Land, and was only dislodged after much difficulty. It was carefully taken up, all its umbrageous fronds were cut away, and being then securely boxed up in a large case of Eucalyptus wood, and shipped on a mail steamer of the Peninsular and Oriental Line, it reached Dublin in safety a day or two before the celebration began, and … was a source of much interest to the numerous visitors on that occasion. Baron Von Mueller writes as follows : —

These s will only endure slight frosts, and they like some irrigation. During my forty-five years of uninterrupted researches in Australia, I have only met with about ten gigantic specimens of , and I do not know of any place where one would be likely to find good specimens weighing over a ton, and even small specimens are uncommon anywhere. What may make this particular of special interest as 'a memorial plant' is the likelihood of its having begun its career from a spore about the time when the University of Dublin was founded, viz., in 1591.

The report continues

During its voyage from Australia numerous new fronds had grown to the length of about a foot, and the specimen was to all appearance as fresh and as vigorous as when taken out of the gully in which it was found. Such a novel and valuable gift is deserving of especial welcome and every good treatment, and it is proposed to build a special cool Fern-house for its reception, where it is to be hoped it may long remain in health and beauty as a memorial of the great tercentenary celebration of the University, and of Baron Von Mueller's good will and generosity in sending such a welcome addition to the treasures of the University Botanical Garden.