Where : Turramurra
When : Wednesday, 17th October, 5-00 pm
Weapon : Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
This is the waratah, or to give its proper name, telopea speciosissima, the floral emblem of New South Wales. Robert Brown (1773-1858) named the genus Telopea in 1810 from specimens collected in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
It is a most magnificent plant much loved originally by the native Australians, on account of a rich honeyed juice which they sipped from its flowers.
The Greek word 'telopos', means 'seen from afar', and refers to the great distance from which the rich, crimson flowers are discernible. The specific name speciosissima is the superlative of the Latin adjective 'speciosus', meaning 'beautiful' or 'handsome'. The shrub may grow to nearly a whopping 20 feet high, sporting erect flower stems, with stunning crimson, round bracht heads, as in this picture, some 5 inches across.
'Waratah', the Aboriginal name for the species, was adopted by early settlers and is related to the grevillea and protea.
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