Curio

State Library of New South Wales
‘Wa-ra-ta’ (Telopea speciosissima), 1790s

‘Wa-ra-ta’ (Telopea speciosissima), 1790s

Ducie Collection, National Library of Australia, Canberra; Purchased from the Ducie-Moreton Family, 2005; nla.pic-vn3579250

Watercolour

There are five species of Waratah in southeastern Australia that form the genus Telopea, from the Greek word meaning seen from afar. This refers to their bright red flowerheads.
Waratahs are native only to New South Wales. They were declared the official state flower emblem in 1962.
The Waratah was depicted on the Australian three shilling stamp, issued in 1959 and again on the 30 cent stamp in 1968.
Waratahs are well known for their large bright red flowerheads, each containing hundreds of individual flowers.
Waratahs are pollinated by a variety of insects and birds. They are also favoured by the Eastern pygmy possum.
Waratahs are a large shrub that grow up to four metres high.