The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: The grass sent from Riddell's Creek ¶ Vic. ¶ is the Paspalum scrobiculatum, which has a wide dispersion through the tropical regions of the eastern hemisphere, and thus reaches also Australia, advanc...

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Physical location:

95.05.00c

Plant names

Paspalum scrobiculatum
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to the Leader, 1895-05 [95.05.00c]. 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/1890-6/1895/95-05-00c-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Answers to correspondents', Leader, 4 May 1895, p. 5 (B95.05.04). It was introduced by

Pasture Plant ,— J.C., Riddell's Creek, writes:— "Herewith a sample of grass growing in Mr. Smith's nursery. It was given to him and said to be a native grass from the north. It grows about 6 foot high, very juicy; the horses and cattle eat it greedily. During all this heat it is fresh and green. Can you name it for me?" The Government Botanist furnishes the following reply:—.

The grass sent from Riddell's Creek

Vic.

is the , which has a wide dispersion through the tropical regions of the eastern hemisphere, and thus reaches also Australia, advancing southwards to New South Wales and even the north of New Zealand. This is a highly valuable fodder grass, as the stem is somewhat succulent and the foliage tender. In the colder parts of our colony it would cease growing during the cool season, but would push again when warm weather sets in. As pasture animals might readily get overfed on so rich a grass, it might be well to have it mixed with other grasses. It will grow also on wet land.