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Telopea R. Br.

Proteaceae

  Telopea sp.: stem  
Alternate trade names

waratah

Common names

waratah

Species cultivated

Most commonly cultivated

Telopea speciosissima (Sm.) R. Br., along with hybrids based on T. speciosissima as a parent

Other species possibly cultivated

T. mongaensis Cheel

T. oreades F. Muell.

T. truncata (Labill.) R. Br.1

Origin

Australia, New Zealand.

Brief characterization

Stems bearing leathery, sometimes irregularly serrated leaves, and a solitary head-like raceme of pedicellate flowers; inflorescence 15 cm or more across, often subtended by large, leafy, colored bracts; perianth tube cylindrical, split down one side; lobes 4, short, revolute (in opened flowers), each bearing a stamen; opened flowers have prominently exserted styles (cut flower stems are usually seen with unopened flowers).

Cultivar and/or species variation

Leaves ca. 10-25 cm long, in various shapes and with margins +/- deeply serrated; racemes ovoid to flattish; flowers (and involucral bracts) usually deep red, sometimes white or pink, 10-240 per inflorescence.

May be confused with

Leucospermum

Countries exporting

South Africa, Zimbabwe.

Telopea sp.: inflorescence

Telopea speciosissima: illustration
Photo: © M. Fagg, Australian National Botanic Gardens

Telopea mongaensis
Photo: © M. Fagg, Australian National Botanic Gardens

Telopea oreades 'Erinundra'
Photo: © Australian National Botanic Gardens

Telopea speciosissima 'Sunburst'
Photo: D. Greig © Australian National Botanic Gardens

Telopea speciosissima
Photo: M. Crisp © Australian National Botanic Gardens

Telopea truncata
Photo: © M. Fagg, Australian National Botanic Gardens
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