[Sir, — During a recent visit into the Wimmera district my attention was drawn to a plant that is spreading in that part of Victoria. I received a specimen, and Baron von Mueller has classified it as a true Solanum, commonly known as the British Annual Nightshade. It is therefore a poisonous plant, and steps should be taken to eradicate it before much damage is done, for not only are stock liable to consume it, but children have been known to eat the berries with serious effects. Baron von Mueller states that it could be easily checked, because it is an annual. He recommends that it should be pulled up by the roots, put into heap, and destroyed by fire. He states that a description of this species (solanum nigrum) is well illustrated in many works, and it can be easily distinguished.]1
Solanum nigrum
The letter continues with text that may not have come from M:
As the plant is now covered with berries, no better time could be selected to commence the work of eradication. The poison of this plant is a narcotic, consequently stimulants are indicated to overcome it, notably strychnine may be mentioned, not only on account of its specification, but also because it is found on nearly every station as an antidote for snake bite.
Ruddock's letter was also published in Argus, 8 May 1896, p. 6, and as part of 'A poisonous plant', Leader (Melbourne), 16 May 1896, p. 12, illustrated with an image of the plant 'drawn from a sketch furnished to us by Baron von Mueller'.
Letter not found. The text given here is from a letter dated 22 April 1896 to the Editor of the Age from H. Sugden Rudduck, writing from the Melbourne Veterinary Hospital ('A poisonous plant', Age (Melbourne), 24 April 1896, p. 6). M's letter is dated to 21 April as the latest likely date it was sent, assuming that Ruddock wrote to the Age as soon as it was received.
Please cite as “FVM-96-04-21a,” 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