Document information

Physical location:

95.07.00e

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to the Leader, 1895-07 [95.07.00e]. 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/1890-6/1895/95-07-00e-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Answers to correspondents', Leader, 20 July 1895, p. 9 (B95.07.05). It is introduced by
Poison Plant. — J. B., Lake Rowan, writes:— "Herewith you will please find a few specimens of a plant which grows in some paddocks in the Lake Rowan district. It is known locally as the 'poison plant.' Would you kindly inform me as to whether it is poisonous for stock or not? The plant grows with a single tap root, like a small parsnip, and if any portion of the stem or branch be broken a white milky juice exudes, same as from the dandelion plant. It creeps close to the ground." Baron von Mueller replies as follows:—.
The prostrate small weed from Lake Rowan
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Vic, about 30 km south of Yarrawonga.
is the
Euphorbia Drummondi

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, one of the most dangerous of our native plants to pasture animals, and one of wide distribution in north-west Victoria. As it is a free seeding perennial, and as the seeds readily germinate, this Euphorbia is not readily subdued. The best plan to annihilate it seems to be turning over the soil where it abounds, and sowing thereon the seeds of strong pasture grasses and perennial fodder herbs, against which the small Euphorbia could not successfully cope. Should poison cases from the Euphorbia be recognised in the early stage, then the animal might perhaps be saved by administering internally some mucilaginous fluid to which olive oil had been added and giving clysters. Stimulants may also be recommended.