From Mary Wilcox to Ferdinand von Mueller   18 Dec 1884

"Water View"

South Grafton¹

Dec. 18th 1884

To the Baron Von Mueller

Sir/

Herewith I send leaves and flower of a plant which I have in my garden, the color of the flower is a rich brown the plant sprang up among some Fern which came from a Scrub some distance from Grafton if named will you kindly give me the name.

Are you aware that another species of Gigantic lily has been found on the Richmond River,² a Mr Larkin³ residing at Lismore on the R River spoke to me about it in the early part of this year — I asked him to send specimens to you, but I noticed lately he had sent them to Mr Moore of the Botanic Gardens Sydney⁴ — Mr L has had them Photographed the flowers are placed up the stem similar to the Gladiolii, they are in great quantities but seem to be local

Your long and interesting correspondence with my late dear Husband⁵ is my excuse for troubling you, my children all have a taste for Botany, and may at some time be able to send you something in the way of Botany which may be acceptable

I remain

yours faithfully

Mary A Wilcox