Australia Day and Australias Floral Emblems

Published: Tuesday 26 January 2010

Each state and territory in Australia, and the nation, has selected an endemic Australian native flower as its emblem:

Australia

Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)

ACT

Royal Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa)

New South Wales

Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

Northern Territory

Sturt�s Desert Rose (Gossipium sturtianum)

Queensland

Cooktown Orchid (Dendrobium phalaenopsis)

South Australia

Sturt�s Desert Pea (Swainsonia formosa)

Tasmania

Tasmanian Bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus)

Victoria

Common Heath (Epacris impressa)

Western Australia

Red & Green Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii)

Only two state emblems can be easily found as cut flowers: the Waratah (NSW) and the Red and Green Kangaroo Paw from WA. The national floral emblemAcacia pycnantha can sometimes be found as a �flowering foliage� crop in spring. NSW - The Waratah Botanical Name: Telopea speciosissima The Waratahs are borne on the waratah tree,which is native to eastern NSW. Other species that are sometimes used as cut flowers are T.oreades found in Gippsland Vic and T truncata found in Tasmania. The latter two species are not as showy as T speciosissima and are more commonly used as garden plants or in breeding programs. Waratahs are a much loved spring flower in Australia particularly in�NSW where they are the state flower. They are also the official flower of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Waratahs bear large red flowers in spring. Each flower head is surrounded by red to bronze bracts and is made up of dozens of individual florets that open from the outside in. The tightly packed buds in the centre of the flower can often have a blue appearance. Each thick woody stem bears one flower at the top,surrounded by slightly silky green leaves. Selection breeding has resulted in white,cream or pink flowers but these are rare as cut flowers. Waratahs are only available for a few weeks, from late winter to spring. What to look for: *Flowers with the least number of open florets, as long as some are open * Leaves that are fresh and green * Avoid flowers with a blue tinge Flower Care: * Keep cool whenever possible *Remove leaves from lower half of stem * Re cut 2cm from each stem with sharp secateurs and place in cold water * Never bash or split stem ends * No preservative, place in cold water with a few drops of bleach. The sugar preservatives cause excess nectar production * Waratahs are very sensitive to ethylene.Keep them away from fruit, car exhausts and cigarette smoke. Interesting Facts: Telopea is derived from the Greek telopos meaning seen from afar and refers to the great distance from which the crimson flowers are discernible. The specific name speciosissima is of the Latin adjective speciosus meaning beautiful or handsome. Waratah the aboriginal name for the species was adapted by early settlers at Port Jackson, which was renamed Sydney.

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