From Thomas Cheeseman to Ferdinand von Mueller   6 July 1886

Museum, Auckland,

Jul6 6, 1886

My dear Baron Mueller —

Many thanks for drawing attention to the probability of Angiopteris evecta being a native of New Zealand.¹ I have looked through all my specimens of Marattia — which are from a good number of detached localities — but they all prove to be true M. fraxinea. I shall not, however, lose sight of your suggestion when further specimens come into my hands, or when opportunities arise for investigating the matter in the field. The plant is so very similar to Marattia fraxinea that it might very easily be taken for that plant. — A very similar case is that of Rhagodia nutans, of which you will remember I sent you specimens some three years ago.² In habit and general appearance it so closely resembles Chenopodium triandrum as to have been taken for that plant. It now turns out to be generally spread all round our coasts. —

I shall not fail to let Mr Kirk know about the matter.

Yours truly

T. F. Cheeseman

Angiopteris evecta

Chenopodium triandrum

Marattia fraxinea

Rhagodia nutans