Changes

|species=speciosissima

|species=speciosissima

|common_name=Waratah

|common_name=Waratah

|Max ht box=10

|Max ht box=10

|Max ht metric=ft

|Max ht metric=ft

|Max wd box=5

|Max wd box=5

|Max wd metric=ft

|Max wd metric=ft

|exposure=sun

|exposure=sun

|flower_season=early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer

|flower_season=early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer

|flowers=red, pink

|flowers=red, pink

|Temp Metric=°F

|Temp Metric=°F

|min_zone=9

|min_zone=9

|max_zone=10

|max_zone=10

|image=Telopea speciosissima Ingar Falls crop.jpg

|image=Upload.png

|image_width=240

|image_width=240

}}

}}

'''''Telopea speciosissima''''', commonly known as the '''New South Wales waratah''' or simply '''waratah''', is a large shrub in the [[Proteaceae]] family. It is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[New South Wales]] in [[Australia]] and is the [[floral emblem]] of that state. No [[subspecies]] are recognised, but the closely related ''[[Telopea aspera]]'' was only recently classified as a separate species. ''T. speciossisima'' grows as a shrub to 3 or 4 m (10–13 ft) high and 2 m (7 ft)  wide, with dark green leaves and several stems rising from a pronounced woody base known as a [[lignotuber]]. It is most renowned for its striking large red [[inflorescence]]s (flowerheads) in spring, each made up of hundreds of individual flowers. These are visited by the [[eastern pygmy possum]] (''Cercartetus nanus''), birds such as [[honeyeater]]s (Meliphagidae), and insects.

| name = ''LATINNAME''   <!--- replace LATINNAME with the actual latin name -->

 

| common_names =    <!--- if multiple, list all, if none, leave blank -->

Commercially grown in several countries as a cut flower, it is also cultivated in the home garden, although it requires good drainage, yet adequate moisture, and is vulnerable to fungal disease and pests. A number of [[cultivar]]s with various shades of red, pink and even white flowers are available. Plantsmen have also developed [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]] with ''[[Telopea oreades|T.&nbsp;oreades]]'' and ''T.&nbsp;mongaensis'', which are more tolerant of cold, shade and heavier soils.

| growth_habit = ?  <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->

 

| high = ?  <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->

[[File:Telopea speciosissima seedpods.jpg|thumb|left|Seed pods containing several beige seeds at bottom|alt=Several open banana-shaped seedpods hang down from an old flower spike. Within them a few beige seeds are still attached.]]

| wide =     <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->

The New South Wales waratah is a large erect shrub up to 3 or 4&nbsp;metres (10–13&nbsp;ft) in height with one or more stems.<ref name=ANBG/><ref name=NSW>{{cite web|author=Crisp, Michael D.; Weston, Peter H.|title=''Telopea speciosissima'' (Sm.) R.Br.|work=New South Wales Flora Online|url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Telopea~speciosissima|accessdate=14 February 2010}}</ref> Arising vertically or near vertically from a large woody base, or [[lignotuber]], the stems are little branched. There is a spurt of new growth after flowering in late spring, with new shoots often arising from old flowerheads.<ref name=Nixon27/><!-- cites both previous sentences --> The dark green leaves are [[Phyllotaxis|alternate]] and usually coarsely-toothed and range from 13 to 25&nbsp;cm (5–10&nbsp;in) in length.<ref name=ANBG/> Enveloped in leafy [[bract]]s, the flowerheads develop over the winter and begin to swell in early spring,<ref name=ANBG/><ref name=Nixon23>Nixon, p. 23.</ref> before opening to reveal the striking [[inflorescence]]s. The exact timing varies across New South Wales, but flowering can begin as early as August in the northern parts of its range, and finish in November in the southern, more elevated areas.<ref name=Nixon27>Nixon, p. 27.</ref> Spot flowering may also occur around March in autumn.<ref name=Nixon24>Nixon, p. 24.</ref> Containing up to 250 individual flowers, the domed flowerheads are crimson in colour and measure 7–10&nbsp;cm (3–4&nbsp;in) in diameter. They are cupped in a [[Phyllotaxis|whorl]] of leafy bracts which are 5 to 7&nbsp;cm (2–3&nbsp;in) long and also red.<ref name=ANBG/><ref name=Nixon27/> Variations are not uncommon. Some flowerheads may be more globular or cone-shaped than dome-shaped, and the bracts may be whitish or dark red. The tips of the [[Stigma (botany)|stigmas]] of some inflorescences may be whitish, contrasting with the red colour of the rest of the flowerhead.<ref name=Nixon25>Nixon, p. 25.</ref>

| origin = ?  <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->

 

| poisonous =    <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->

An individual flowerhead reaches full size around two weeks after first emerging from the bracts, and lasts another two weeks before the flowers fade and fall. In the first phase, the individual small flowers, known as [[Flower#Morphology|florets]], remain unopened—and the flowerhead retains a compact shape—before they mature and split open, revealing the [[Gynoecium#Carpel morphology|style]], stigma and [[Stamen|anther]]. The outermost florets open first, [[anthesis]] progressing towards the centre of the flowerhead, which becomes darker and more open in appearance, and begins attracting birds and insects.<ref name=Nixon24/><!-- cites previous three sentences --> The anther is [[Sessility (botany)|sessile]] (that is, it lacks a filament) and lies next to the stigma at the end of the style. The [[Ovary (plants)|ovary]] lies at the base of the style and atop a stalk known as the [[gynophore]], and it is from here that the seed pods then develop. Meanwhile, a crescent-shaped [[Nectar#Floral nectaries|nectary]] lies at the base of the gynophore.<ref name="Willis59">{{cite journal|last=Willis|first=J. L.|year=1959|title=The genus ''Telopea''|journal=Australian Plants|publisher=Surrey Beatty & Sons|location=Chipping Norton, NSW|volume=1|issue=1|pages=7–10}}</ref><!-- cites previous two sentences --> The seed pods grow to 8–15&nbsp;cm (3–6&nbsp;in) long.<ref name=FOA>{{cite web|title=Telopea speciosissima|work=Flora of Australia online|url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=2471|accessdate=16 February 2010}}</ref> The pods eventually turn brown and leathery, splitting open to reveal the winged seeds  inside;<ref name=ANBG/> this generally occurs in early winter.<ref name=Nixon24/> In the wild, only 2 or 3 seed pods develop per flowerhead, but there may be anywhere from 5 to 50 in cultivated plants.<ref name=Nixon24/>

| lifespan =     <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->

 

| exposure = ?  <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->

| water = ?  <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->

| features =    <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->

| hardiness =     <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->

| bloom =    <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->

| usda_zones = ?  <!--- eg. 8-11 -->

| sunset_zones =     <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->

| color = IndianRed

| image = Upload.png  <!--- Freesia.jpg -->

| image_width = 240px    <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->

| image_caption =     <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->

| regnum = Plantae  <!--- Kingdom -->

| divisio =   <!--- Phylum -->

| classis =    <!--- Class -->

| ordo =   <!--- Order -->

| familia =   <!--- Family -->

| genus =  

| species =  

| subspecies =  

| cultivar =  

}}

{{Inc|

{{Inc|

Telopea speciosissima, R. Br. (Embothrium speciosissimum, Smith). Waratah. Warratau. Stout glabrous shrub 6-8 ft. high: lvs. cuneate-oblong, 5-10 in. long, mostly toothed in the upper part, coriaceous: fls. crimson, in a dense ovoid or globular head 3 in. across: involucral bracts colored, the inner ones 2-3 in. long. New S. Wales. —One of the showiest shrubs of New S. Wales. The heads are 3 in. across and 3-4 in. deep and bear a rough resemblance to a florist's chrysanthemum. The showiest parts, however, are involucral bracts. This plant is known as waratah. It is one of the most distinct members of its family, for a horticultural account of which see Protea. Seeds of this species are imported into Calif. frequently, but although they germinate readily, the seedlings damp-off still more readily. Probably if the plant were once established it could be easily prop. by layering or by cuttings.

Telopea speciosissima, R. Br. (Embothrium speciosissimum, Smith). Waratah. Warratau. Stout glabrous shrub 6-8 ft. high: lvs. cuneate-oblong, 5-10 in. long, mostly toothed in the upper part, coriaceous: fls. crimson, in a dense ovoid or globular head 3 in. across: involucral bracts colored, the inner ones 2-3 in. long. New S. Wales. B.M. 1128. G.C. II. 17:677; III. 55:348. Gn. 22:400. I.H. 34:29.—One of the showiest shrubs of New S. Wales. The heads are 3 in. across and 3-4 in. deep and bear a rough resemblance to a florist's chrysanthemum. The showiest parts, however, are involucral bracts. This plant is known as waratah. It is one of the most distinct members of its family, for a horticultural account of which see Protea. Seeds of this species are imported into Calif. frequently, but although they germinate readily, the seedlings damp-off still more readily. Probably if the plant were once established it could be easily prop. by layering or by cuttings.

{{SCH}}

{{SCH}}

}}

}}

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->

Although they grow naturally on deep sandy soils, the species has proved adaptable to other deep, well-drained soils, especially where natural slopes assist drainage. Despite their natural occurrence in woodland, waratahs flower best in full sun, although they tolerate the dappled shade of eucalypts.<ref name = "Wrigley 1991">{{cite book | last = Wrigley | first = John |coauthors = Fagg, Murray | title = Banksias, Waratahs and Grevilleas | year = 1991 | publisher = Angus & Robertson | location = Sydney | isbn = 0-207-17277-3|pages = 538–41}}</ref> Heavy pruning after flowering reinvigorates plants and promotes more profuse flowering in the next season.<ref name=ANBG/> Waratah blooms are highly susceptible to damage from wind, and benefit from some protection from [[prevailing winds]].<ref name=Nixon58>Nixon, p. 58.</ref> Waratah blooms attract birds to the garden.<ref name = "Wrigley 1991"/> The species is readily [[plant propagation|propagated]] from fresh [[seed]], but cultivars must be reproduced from cuttings to remain true-to-type.<ref name= "Growing Waratahs">{{cite web|title=Growing waratahs|publisher=Australian National Botanic Gardens |url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/telopea/telopea.html|accessdate=11 April 2010}}</ref>

===Propagation===

===Propagation===

===Pests and diseases===

===Pests and diseases===

{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->

Several species of fungi infect the roots of waratahs, causing significant plant morbidity or death. Typical symptoms include yellow leaves, wilting, blackening and dieback or part or all of the plant, or lack of [[cluster roots|proteoid roots]].<ref name=Nixon56>Nixon, p. 56.</ref> The most common pathogen is the soil-borne [[oomycete|water mold]] ''[[Phytophthora cinnamomi]]'',<ref name=Nixon57>Nixon, p. 57.</ref> which appears to be more problematic in cultivated plants than in wild populations.<ref name=Woodford>{{cite news|author=Woodford, James|title=Waratah faces a fight to preserve its blooming life|publisher=The Age|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/09/20/1032054962838.html|accessdate=9 March 2010}}</ref> Mass plantings at the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney|Royal Botanic Gardens]] in Sydney and at [[Mount Annan]] planted before the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] were devastated by the disease.<ref name=Woodford/> ''[[Rhizoctonia solani]]'' can cause damping off or root rot,<ref name=Nixon57/> and is an uncommon pathogen. ''[[Cylindrocarpon scoparium]]'' and ''C. destructans'' (now ''[[Nectria radicicola]]'') are also uncommon causes of infection<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asgap.org.au/APOL5/mar97-4.html|title=Pests and Diseases of Australian Plants|last=Summerell, Brett; Steinke, Eve|year=1997|work=Australian Plants online|publisher=[[Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)]]|accessdate=28 March 2010}}</ref> and result in decay of the crown of the plant.<ref name=Nixon57/> Although significant problems, fungi are less likely to be the cause of plant morbidity than poor drainage or soil conditions.<ref name=Nixon56/>

==Species==

<!--  This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc    -->

 

==Varieties==

*'''''Telopea'' 'Brimstone Blush'''' is a shrub of smaller size than the species, reaching a metre (3&nbsp;ft) tall, and was originally found growing on a property of Ben Richards in [[Oakdale, New South Wales|Oakdale]], southwest of Sydney. Flowering takes place in October. The flowerhead is globular with a pink crown and has 160 individual flowers, the styles of which are pink and white towards the ends. Three rows of whorled dark red bracts surround the flowerheads.<ref name=Nixon33>Nixon, p. 33.</ref>

*'''''Telopea'' 'Cardinal'''' is a form originally found on the property of Lucille Pope in Werombi, from where it was propagated and made available commercially. The original plant was a vigorous specimen reaching 3 m by 3 m (10&nbsp;ft by 10&nbsp;ft) and producing 100 to 120 flowerheads each year. It is named for its large dome-shaped cardinal red flowerheads, which bear 210 individual flowers and are surrounded by two rows of dark red bracts. These blooms have long vase life.<ref name=Nixon334>Nixon, pp. 33–34.</ref>

*'''''Telopea'' 'Corroboree'''', a form with longer styles, has compact inflorescences measuring  12&nbsp;cm (5&nbsp;in) high and wide, and is a vigorous grower. It was selected for commercial propagation in 1974 by Nanette Cuming of [[Bittern, Victoria]], and registered with the [[Australian Cultivar Registration Authority]] in 1989. It is grown principally for the cut flower industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/acra/descriptions/acc457.html|title=Telopea 'Corroboree'|last=Australian Cultivar Registration Austhority|work=ACRA: Descriptions of Registered Cultivars|publisher=Australian National Botanic Gardens|accessdate=13 February 2010}}</ref>

*'''''Telopea'' 'Fire and Brimstone'''' is a vigorous form with large inflorescences selected by waratah grower and author Paul Nixon of [[Camden, New South Wales]]. It is a shrub which may reach 3–4&nbsp;m tall and 2&nbsp;m wide, with large leaves with more heavily toothed margins.<ref name=Wildside>{{cite book |last=Stewart |first=Angus |authorlink= Angus Stewart|title=Gardening on the Wild Side|year=2001 |publisher=ABC Books |location=Sydney |isbn=0-7333-0791-4 |pages=132–38}}</ref> Each flowerhead is cone-shaped and has up to 240 florets. The stigmas are a light red and tipped with white. The bracts surrounding the flowerheads are relatively small, while the leaves are large and can reach 44&nbsp;cm (18&nbsp;in) in length.<ref name=Nixon34>Nixon, p. 34.</ref> The cultivar is thought to be [[Polyploidy|tetraploid]].<ref name=Wildside/> With a long vase life of 17 days, the cultivar is suitable for the cut flower industry.<ref name=Nixon34/>

* '''''Telopea'' 'Olympic Flame'''' is a form with prominent bracts around the flowerheads. It has large leaves with toothed margins and flowers in early spring. Also known as 'Sunburst', it arose as a seedling in a breeding program conducted by Cathy Offord, Peter Goodwin and Paul Nixon under the auspices of the [[University of Sydney]].<ref name=Wildside/>

* '''''Telopea'' 'Parry's Dream'''' was a [[chance seedling]] in the early 1970s. It gave rise to this cultivar, a vigorous plant with red-pink flowerheads which reach a diameter of 10 x 10&nbsp;cm (4 x 4 in) surrounded by pink bracts.<ref name=EJ10/>

* '''''Telopea'' 'Shade of Pale'''' is an unusual pale-pink flowered form of ''T.&nbsp;speciosissima''.<ref name=Wildside/> It is less vigorous than the parent plant. It was initially promoted as 'Light Shade of Pale' but there can only be three words in a registered cultivar name.

* '''''Telopea'' 'Sunflare'''' is an early-flowering form. It has large leaves with toothed margins and flowers in early spring. It also arose as a seedling in the same breeding program by the University of Sydney mentioned above.<ref name=Wildside/> Selected in 1981, it has red flowerheads with white-tipped styles which reach 9&nbsp;cm (3.6&nbsp;in) in diameter.<ref name=EJ10/>

* '''''Telopea'' 'Wirrimbirra White'''' is a white form from Kangaloon near [[Robertson, New South Wales|Robertson]]. Aboriginal legends of white waratahs existed, and several had been encountered but none had been previously preserved in horticulture. [[Joseph Maiden]] had previously found a white waratah near [[Kurrajong, New South Wales|Kurrajong]],<ref name = "Wrigley 1991"/><!-- refs all para --> and others had been sighted near [[Narara, New South Wales|Narara]] on the Central Coast in 1919, and [[Colo Vale, New South Wales|Colo Vale]] in the 1950s. [[Horticulture|Horticulturalist]] Frank Stone reported one in his garden, possibly propagated from the latter plant.<ref name=Nixon38>Nixon, p. 38.</ref> 'Wirrimbirra White' was brought into cultivation in 1972 by cuttings from the original plant, which grew on [[Sydney Catchment Authority|water catchment]] property. It has pale greenish buds which open to a cream-white inflorescence. It is less vigorous than the parent species and vulnerable to [[Woodboring beetle|borers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/acra/descriptions/acc322.html|title=Telopea 'Wirrimbirra White'|last=Australian Cultivar Registration Austhority|work=ACRA: Descriptions of Registered Cultivars|publisher=Australian National Botanic Gardens|accessdate=13 February 2010}}</ref> It is also highly vulnerable to the Macadamia twig girdler.<ref name=EJ10/>

 

In addition, a number of interspecific hybrids have also been produced. These have been bred or used as more frost- or shade-tolerant plants in cooler climates such as Canberra, Melbourne or elsewhere.

 

* '''''Telopea'' 'Braidwood Brilliant'''' is a frost-tolerant hybrid between a male ''T.&nbsp;speciosissima'' and female ''[[Telopea mongaensis|T.&nbsp;mongaensis]]''. Dr Robert Boden of the Canberra Parks Administration began investigating this hybrid in 1962, and it was registered in 1975 by Richard Powell. It is a lignotuberous shrub to 3 m (10&nbsp;ft) high and has [[Leaf shape|oblanceolate]] leaves to 20&nbsp;cm (8&nbsp;in) long. The red blooms are 6–8&nbsp;cm (2.4–3.2&nbsp;in) in diameter, intermediate in size between the parent species.<ref name = "Wrigley 1991"/> It has grown well in cooler climates such as Canberra.<ref name=Nixon32>Nixon, p. 32.</ref>

* '''''Telopea'' 'Champagne'''' is a cultivar registered under Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pbr.ipaustralia.plantbreeders.gov.au/plant_detail.cfm?AID=2647406|title=Waratah (Telopea hybrid): Variety: 'Champagne'|year=2006|work=IP Australia: Plant Breeders Rights website|publisher=IP Australia, Commonwealth of Australia|accessdate=13 February 2010}}</ref> Its creamy yellow flowerheads appear from October to December.<ref name=EJ10/> It is a three-way hybrid between ''T.&nbsp;speciosissima'', ''T.&nbsp;oreades'' and the yellow-flowered form of ''[[Telopea truncata|T.&nbsp;truncata]]''.

* '''''Telopea'' 'Shady Lady'''' is a larger shrub which may reach 5&nbsp;m (16&nbsp;ft) high and 2 or 3&nbsp;m (6–10&nbsp;ft) wide. A hybrid of ''T.&nbsp;speciosissima'' and ''T.&nbsp;oreades'', it arose by chance in a Melbourne garden. The flowerheads are smaller and lack the bracts of the ''speciosissima'' parent. As its name suggests, it tolerates more shade.<ref name=Wildside/> It is vigorous and more reliable in [[Temperateness|temperate]] and [[Subtropics|subtropical]] areas, and grows in semi-shade or sun.<ref name=EJ10/> 'Shady Lady Crimson', 'Shady Lady Red' and 'Shady Lady Pink' are three selected commercially available colour forms.<ref name="Proteaflora">{{cite web|url=http://www.proteaflora.com.au/plant-search/other|title=Other Varieties|year=2010|publisher=Proteaflora|accessdate=7 April 2010|location=Monbulk, Victoria}}</ref>

* '''''Telopea'' 'Shady Lady White'''' is a  white hybrid between ''T.&nbsp;speciosissima'' and ''T.&nbsp;oreades''.<ref name="Proteaflora"/>

==Gallery==

==Gallery==

*{{wplink}}

*{{wplink}}