["J. H."—We are indebted to Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller for the following information regarding the weed that is overrunning your pastures. Its name is Bartsia latifolia. It is a native of countries at the Mediterranean Sea. As it seeds copiously its spread is apt to be rapid in our clime. Of its properties no record is extant, as far as is known here. Fortunately it is an annual, so that it may be annihilated if it is prevented from seeding. Ploughing-in or horse-hoeing before it begins to flower would be the plan, but more than one operation would be needed.]1
Bartsia latifolia
The item was republished in Geelong advertiser, 13 November 1893, p. 2, col. e, introduced by: 'Yet another variety of weed to annoy graziers has made its appearance in the pasture lands at East Bellarine, Drysdale, and also at the North Shore. The leaf of the weed resembles that of the stone grass, and it has a small pink flower. The weed, which cattle refuse to eat, is a rapid grower and spreads quickly'. The Geelong advertiser article was republished without acknowledgment in both Portland guardian, 15 November 1893, p. [2], col. d, and Camperdown chronicle, 14 November 1893, p. [2], col. e.
Bartsia latifolia Is probably the species of which a specimen was sent with Horsham times to M, 23 October 1893 (in this edition as 93-10-23a).
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'The Yeoman. Answers to correspondents', Australasian (Melbourne), 11 November 1893, p. 845. Assuming that M's letter would be published in the next available issue in this weekly newspaper, it is dated to 6 November 1893 as the likely earliest date it would have been sent.
Please cite as “FVM-93-11-06b,” 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