The Cyatheas of which you sent specimens cannot be named with certainty, because the fronds have no fruit on them. As you say, it belongs to the series of Cyathea Medullaris, but the stem is more slender, and it differs in some other particulars. I had of this fern tree specimens from the far south of Tasmania many years ago, which were doubtfully referred to Cyathea Affinis (Swartz), but I believe the Tasmanian species is nearer to Cyathea Cunninghami of New Zealand. The whole group, of which Cyathea Medullaris is the leading species, ought to be elaborated anew, with comparisons also of the stems. If you have a fruit specimen to spare kindly send it to me; I should like also one of the photographs. I will then afford you fuller information.
Cyathea Affinis
Cyathea Cunninghami
Cyathea Medullaris
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Rare Tasmanian fern', Launceston examiner (Tas), 14 June 1890, p. 1 (B90.06.07). It is introduced by
The Superintendent of our City Reserves, Mr W. M'Gowan, recently forwarded to Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller, K.C.M.G., F.R.S., who is resident in Melbourne, leaves and portions of the stem of the specimens of the rare Tasmanian fern recently received from Mr G. Anderson, of Circular Head, for identification. By yesterday's mail Mr M'Gowan received the following reply:--.
The item is dated to June 1890 on the basis of its arrival in Launceston on 13 June.
The identity of the fern was discussed in earlier articles, for example, 'A rare Tasmanian Fern', Tasmanian (Launceston), 7 June 1890, p. 11.
Please cite as “FVM-90-06-00f,” 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