To William Smyth1    24 November 1874

S. Yarra2

24/11/74.

 

The plant, just sent by you, dear Mr Smyth, is Melilotus parviflora from the Mediterranean regions. It is a kind of Bockhara clover, which as an aromatic admixture is of some value among pasture herbs. The green swiss cheese owes its flavor to this or allied plants; the odorous principle is Coumarin3

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller

 

Melilotus parviflora

 
MS over-written in red pencil: 'Letter to Wm. Dougall Smy Mt Franklin Franklinford'.
Melbourne.
M used the alternative spelling 'cumarin' in M to Leader, November 1874 (in this edition as 74-11-00a).

Please cite as “FVM-74-11-24a,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells accessed on 29 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/74-11-24a