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From Patrick O'Shanesy to Ferdinand von Mueller   13 Nov 1876

Rockhampton1

Novr 13 1876

Dear Baron Mueller

I enclose you another Portulaca which I consider a new species. It differs from P. oleracea in its much larger flowers, its longer style and fewer style branches, (3 or 4) its differently shaped leaves, which have a beautiful crystalline appearance, without any traces of venation. The leaves too are crowded at the ends of the branches and are much thicker than those of P. oleracea.

If it proves to be a new species you would oblige by calling it P. crystallina.2

I shall soon be able to send you samples of the other doubtful species.

Hoping that you are enjoying good health

I am

Dear Baron

Sincerely yours

P. A. O'Shanesy

Portulaca crystallina

Portulaca oleracea

1

Qld.

2

The name has not been found in any publication (APNI, IPNI, accessed 3 June 2023).

3

MS found with a specimen of Portulaca oleracea (MEL 26694).

Please cite as “FVM-76-11-13,” 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 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/76-11-13