To Herbert Williamson   15 April 1896

Dictated¹

Melbourne 15-4-96

(At a very late hour)

In answer to Your letter just received² dear Mr. Williamson let me say that probably Galium geminifolium and Asperula geminifolia are states of one plant. You may see in my "Key"³ that the only differences consist in Asperula having a tube to its corolla, Galium not. This holds good with the numerous European species and probably also with those of other parts of the globe except those of Australia where, as You may have noticed Asperula oligantha has the male flowers in the tube while with the female it is wanting. Asperula geminifolia and Galium geminifolium are comparative rare plants, I had never any good oportunity to watch in free nature their position to each other, this perhaps You might be able to do, to clear up the subject.

You are right I have been very buissy in the department for many months past, particular in the rural direction and thus the naming of plants had in many instances to stand over. So far as I can see at present I shall have more leisure for such purpose after the next month. The 9th enlarged edition of the “Select Plants”⁴ appeared several months ago at the Government printing office where it can be obtained at cost prize for some few shillings. The bringing out of this new issue was partley the cause of some of the other part of work here with me comming in to arrear

Regardfully Your

Ferd. von Mueller

Thanks for promise of Sebaea

Asperula geminifolia

Asperula oligantha

Galium geminifolium

Sebaea