Dear Mr. Brown,

 My name is Paul Madeira. I am a molecular biologist for the US Department of Agriculture’s Invasive Plant Research Laboratory. I have been trying to trace the introduction of a lovely plant, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, which unfortunately has become an invasive weed in much of Florida. Most reports place its introduction in the 1920’s from Southeast Asia through the Miami Chapman Field station. However, I have found evidence that before this, in the late 1800’s, it was introduced by the Reasoner Brothers Nursery from a source probably in India. Their catalog of 1987/1988 states “The Downy Myrtle. This pretty evergreen shrub is a native of Northern India, and has been successfully cultivated for several years by Mr. E.H. Hart, of Federal Point, where it fruits well. The fruits are red, of the size of a gooseberry, and of an agreeable sweetish taste. The flowers are pink, five pedaled, and resemble in size those of the dog-rose. The plants can be grown in the manner of currant bushes; worthy of cultivation as an ornamental evergreen.” The success of Mr. Hart in growing this plant Is reported several times in later catalogs.

 I would very much like to collect leaves of a plant from the region around Federal Point (as it is the earliest documented establishment) to use for DNA comparison with plants from other areas of the invasive range. I will be up that way over the Thanksgiving holiday visiting my parents at the Penney Farms retirement village and had planned to stop by Federal Point to see if I could spot the plant somewhere. However, when I found your excellent Historical website it occurred to me that you might be able to introduce me to someone interested in the plants of the time who knows where Downy Rose Myrtle still occurs, or is willing to look for it.

 I also found of interest your documentation of water hyacinth introduction to the St. John’s River. I also noticed on the web that Mr. Hart was partly responsible for the introduction of a type of Vallencia orange. Federal Point appears to have had botanical relevance far beyond it’s size.

 Thank you for any help you can offer in this regard.

 Paul Madeira

Molecular Biologist

USDA ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab                            

3225 College Ave.

Ft Lauderdale, FL 33314

954-475-6553