The herb sent is the Erythroea2 Australis, closely allied to the British Erythroea Centaurium. It is an objectionable plant on pastures, because it is so bitter that herds and flocks avoid it. But the bitter principle acts as a tonic like Gentian, so that a weak infusion or a tincture made with wine or diluted alcohol can serve medicinally. As the Erythroea is seeding copiously, and the seeds germinate readily, the plant should not be allowed to become abundant anywhere. It being an annual, it can be kept within bounds by cutting it before it matures seed.
Erythroea Australis
Erythroea Centaurium
Please cite as “FVM-95-01-00c,” 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