Telopea speciosissima

Scientific name: Telopea speciosissima  'Sunburst’

Author: (Smith) R.Br.

Common name: Waratah

Family: Proteaceae

Location

At Mount Annan Botanic Garden you can see waratahs in the Banksia Garden.

The colourful Waratah is the floral emblem of New South Wales. It comes from the NSW coast and tablelands, from the Watagan Mountains to Ulladulla. Growing most often in sandy soils in dry eucalypt forest, it provides ample nectar which is a 'reward' for bird pollinators. It is said that Aborigines also used to eat nectar from the flowers.

It is now widely grown by the horticultural industry and many cultivars have been developed. They range in colour from white, through pale rose to deep scarlet.

This cultivar, commonly known as the ‘Olympic Flame’ Waratah, was developed by the University of Sydney and research staff of Mount Annan Botanic Garden.