The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: The herb is the Australian Centaury Herb, Erythraea Australis. It Is closely allied to the British Centaury, and, like that one, is a good tonic, these plants belonging to the Gentian family. They are...

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Physical location:

92.11.02a

Plant names

Erythraea Australis
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to the Leader, 1892-11-02 [92.11.02a]. 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/1890-6/1892/92-11-02a-final.odt>, accessed June 5, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Answers to correspondents', Leader, 10 December 1892, p. 5 (B92.12.07). It is introduced by 'Specimen of Plant.‑J. C., Pine Grove East.—Baron von Mueller says:—'. For the request, see J. Dow to M, 2 November 1892; item dated on the basis of M’s annotation on that letter.

The herb is the Australian Centaury Herb, . It Is closely allied to the British Centaury, and, like that one, is a good tonic, these plants belonging to the Gentian family. They are, however, not welcome on pastures, as herds and flocks dislike the Erythraeas on account of their very bitter taste; and as these herbs spread very readily from seed, fortunately they are annual, so that their spread can to some extent be controlled.