New South Wales waratah

What does New South Wales waratah look like?

The New South Wales waratah is a large, upright shrub reaching up to 4 metres high, with dark green, coarsely toothed leaves. Its most notable feature is the domed or sometimes cone-shaped flowerhead, 7–10 cm across, made up of up to 250 individual small flowers, usually a vivid crimson but sometimes pink or white. The flowerhead is surrounded by leafy bracts, often red, and the plant has a woody base called a lignotuber. Seed pods are long and leathery, turning from green to russet as they mature.

Where does New South Wales waratah come from?

Telopea speciosissima is native to New South Wales, Australia, where it grows as an understory shrub in open forests on sandy soils. The name 'waratah' comes from the Eora Aboriginal people around Sydney, with other Aboriginal names including 'mooloone' and 'mewah'. First described in 1793, it was later placed in the genus Telopea. The plant is part of a group of southern hemisphere species with red terminal flowers, a trait dating back over 60 million years. Its range extends from the Watagan Mountains to Ulladulla, mainly in the Sydney Basin.

When and how New South Wales waratah blooms

Waratah flowerheads develop over winter, swelling in early spring before opening. Flowering starts as early as August in the north and can last until November in the south, with occasional blooms in March. The plant grows best in deep, well-drained soils with good moisture and some protection from wind. It is propagated from seed or cuttings, and commercial growers extend the cut flower season by growing plants in different regions.

How New South Wales waratah is used

The New South Wales waratah is widely grown as a garden shrub and is popular as a cut flower, with a vase life of up to two weeks. It is the official floral emblem of New South Wales and appears in art, architecture, and advertising. The plant is also grown commercially in New Zealand and Israel. In the wild, it is pollinated by birds and small mammals.

Kinds of New South Wales waratah

There are no recognised subspecies, but the plant shows variation across its range. Some populations have more deeply lobed leaves or darker, wider flowerheads. Cultivated varieties come in different shades of red, pink, and even white. Hybrids with other Telopea species have been developed for greater tolerance to cold and heavier soils.

What New South Wales waratah means

The waratah is a symbol of New South Wales and is featured in state emblems and public art. Its striking appearance has made it a subject in Australian art and advertising since federation. The plant’s Aboriginal names and its role in local culture reflect its long-standing significance in the region. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wild populations near urban areas.

Where New South Wales waratah is used and seen

Australian National Botanic GardensAustralia’s largest living collection of native plants in Canberra

Where to see New South Wales waratah

🇦🇺 Sydney · All yearSydney Flower Market at dawnThe wholesale flower hall at Sydney Markets in Flemington, open to the public in the early hours. 🇦🇺 Sydney · All yearRoyal Botanic Garden SydneyA harbourside garden founded in 1816, beside the Opera House, with native and exotic collections.

Questions people ask about New South Wales waratah

Good reading and sources

• IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
• Telopea speciosissimaRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Telopea speciosissima on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data