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From Thomas Josephson to Ferdinand von Mueller   20 May 1884

Pulpulla Cobar1

May 20th 1884

Sir

Knowing the interest you take in these matters, I enclose you a specimen, leaves?, seed vessels, & stalk, of a plant I found here. It is a climber and I have only seen two specimens of it on this run. I also send a sprig of a plant growing beside it, not a creeper which may probably be poisonous for sheep, as it contains a very acrid sap. I shall be glad to have your opinion on the matter

diagram There appears to me to be another creeper here allied to that of which I send you a specimen bearing a large pod with seeds having a silky down attached.2 I have been accustomed to eat this pod in its green state.

I am

Yours truly

Thos. F. Josephson

P.S. I find what I mistook for leaves are only the open seed pod.

The Baron Von Müeller

Melbourne

1

NSW.

2

There is a sketch inserted at this point: 84-05-20_image01.jpg

3

MS found with a specimen of Sarcostemma viminale (MEL 113694). MS annotation by M: 'Answ 25/5/84'. Letter not found.

Please cite as “FVM-84-05-20,” 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/84-05-20