From Ferdinand von Mueller to James Hector   [July 1873]

While working on Restiaceae¹ I revised also the few New Zealand species, and found that the supposed third species of Calostrophus is a new Lepyrodia, by which means your flora gets a new and interesting genus. Unfortunately Mr. Travers brought only male flowers. Can you kindly see whether, in your set of this plant, perhaps female specimens with capsules occur.² Or, failing this, would Mr. Hunt, or any other settler, procure the female plant, which is easily found, as the species is conspicuous and probably common. I fancy, that still other Restiaceae exist in New Zealand territory, and I would beg much that you will be so kind as to secure for me early samples, also any Cyperaceae. They will then be utilized by me, while I go on with the elaboration of the Glumaceae for the 7th vol. of the Australian flora.³ I shall, also, during this elaboration, attend to all the Glumaceae from the Chatham Islands. The issue of a separate publication on Mr. Travers' last plants is an impossibility here now. So I will send any manuscripts thereon from time to time on to yourself. As soon as I get the female flowers of the Lepyrodia I will send a diagnosis for publication in your new volume.⁴ It may interest you that the Calostrophus elongata of New Zealand has to change its name, as it is quite distinct from Labillardière's original plant. I have only this month recognized the true plant, gathered nearly 80 years ago by Labillardière in the south of Tasmania, and only (until now) known by his plate.⁵ As R. Brown has named the Calostrophus, common in Australia and New Zealand, Restio lateriflorus, I have given your plant the name Calostrophus lateriflorus.⁶ The genus is widely different from Linne's Restio, and belongs to the nucular, not the capsular, tribe of the order. All Glumaceae for accurate diagnosis should have perfectly ripe fruits.

Calostrophus elongata

Calostrophus lateriflorus

Cyperaceae

Glumaceae

Lepyrodia

Restiaceae

Restio