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From John Larner to Ferdinand von Mueller   9 Apr 1890

West Kempsey1

9th April 1890.

To the Right Honorable, Baron Von Mueller,

Hoping that I am not trespassing on your valuable time, I humbly request that you will kindly extend your favour to me. Enclosed are the seeds and leaves of a scrub tree. Unfortunately the flowers have all disappeared.

The tree is locally known as the Pencil-wood, and the berries are particularly relished by all Tree-feeding Pigeons.

Dr Casement, an enthusiast, says the tree is also known as the Pigeon Berry — Litsoea2 Dealbata — one of the Laurineae. However, he would not be sure, without seeing the stamens.

Would you kindly make out (if possible with the meagre information sent) the Class and Order to which the tree belongs. By doing so you will help me over a difficulty for which I shall feel deeply grateful. The Berries when ripe are smooth, of a bluish black colour, and hang in clusters, the flowers being in racemes. The average height of the tree is about 30 or 40 ft.

The want of a work on Botany suitable to young Australian botanists is a great draw-back.

I have the honor to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordships most obedient servant

John. K. Larner.

Address: —

J. K Larner,

West Kempsey

McLeay River

N.S.W.

Laurineae

Litsoea Dealbata

1

NSW.

2

Litsaea?

3

MS found with a specimen of Pennantia cunninghamii (MEL 80332). MS annotation by M: 'Answ 16/4/90'. Letter not found.

Please cite as “FVM-90-04-09,” 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/90-04-09