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Waratah Facts

Waratah Facts
Waratah is shrub that belongs to the garcinia family. It originates from southeast Australia. Waratah can be found in scrublands and open forests. It thrives in areas with cold and semi-tropical climate. Waratah grows on the well-drained, poor, sandy soil, in the partial shade. Only skillful gardeners can cultivate waratah because this plant requires special type of soil and climate conditions for the successful growth. It also needs regular watering (root needs to be moist all the time). Waratah is protected by law in Australia (wild plants cannot be harvested). Waratah is very popular and often cultivated in ornamental purposes (in the gardens) and used for the preparation of various floral arrangements (cut flowers).
Interesting Waratah Facts:
Waratah grows in the form of large shrub or small tree. It produces several, partially branched stems that can reach 10 to 13 feet in height and 7 feet in width.
Waratah develops large, oblong, leathery leaves with coarsely toothed edges. They are dark green colored and alternately arranged on the branches.
Waratah produces large, showy, dome-shaped flower heads composed of 10 to 250 individual florets. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). Waratah develops bright red or pink colored (some varieties produces white and yellow) flower heads that can reach 2 to 6 inches in diameter.
Waratah blooms from September to November. Flowers produce large quantities of nectar which attracts birds and insects, main pollinators of this plant.
Fruit of waratah is reddish-brown leathery pod filled with large, beige-colored winged seed. Ripe fruit splits lengthwise to release seed.
Waratah propagates via seed and cuttings.
Seed of waratah starts to germinate 2 to 3 weeks after sowing. Plant starts to bloom usually 5 years later.
Waratah is adapted to the life in extreme conditions. It can survive wildfires thanks to numerous dormant buds located in the underground stem (swollen lignotuber), which start to sprout shortly after the fire.
Waratah is often used in the floristry because of its beautiful flowers that have long vase life. Flowers can survive 10 to 14 days in the vase when they are properly cared (water should to be replaced each day and vase should be kept in cool area).
Scientific name of waratah is "Telopea speciosissima". It means "the most beautiful plant seen from afar" ("telopos" = "seen from afar" in Greek, "speciosus" = "beautiful", in Latin).
Waratah is floral emblem of the New South Wales since the 1962.
Aborigines used seed of waratah as a source of food and nectar-rich flowers for the preparation of sweet beverages.
Branches of waratah were used for the preparation of baskets in the past.
Waratah symbolizes beauty in the "floral dictionary".
Waratah is perennial plant, which means that it can survive more than 2 years in the wild.


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