Telopea speciosissima

Telopea speciosissima is a large shrub in the plant family Proteaceae. It is endemic to New South Wales in Australia and is the floral emblem of that state. No subspecies are recognised, but the closely related Telopea aspera was recently classified as a separate species.

About Telopea speciosissima in brief

Telopea speciosissima is a large shrub in the plant family Proteaceae. It is endemic to New South Wales in Australia and is the floral emblem of that state. No subspecies are recognised, but the closely related Telopea aspera was only recently classified as a separate species. The species is well renowned for its striking large red springtime inflorescences. These are visited by the eastern pygmy possum, birds such as honeyeaters, and various insects. The seed pods grow 8–15 cm long and range from green, to yellow and red-brown. The pods become leathery and finally turn russet red before splitting open during early winter. In the wild, only two or two pods develop, but there may be anywhere from 5 to 50 in cultivated plants. The specific epithet is derived from the superlative “speciosimum” which means “superior” or “exceptional” The species was first described by botanist James Edward Smith in his 1793 book A Specimen of the Botany of the Netherlands, sent from Holland, by Mr. White. The exact timing varies across New South NSW, but flowering can begin as early as August in the northern parts of its range, and finish in November in the southern, more elevated areas. A number of cultivars with various shades of red, pink and even white flowers are available. Horticulturists have also developed hybrids with T.

oreades and T. mongaensis which are more tolerant of cold, shade, and heavier soils. The ovary lies at the base of the style and atop a stalk known as the gynophore, and it is from here that the seed pods then develop. Meanwhile, a crescent-shaped nectary lies on the stalk, which is called a “nectary” It is also cultivated in home gardens, requiring good drainage yet adequate moisture, but is vulnerable to various fungal diseases and pests. It can grow up to 3 or 4 metres in height with one or more stems. The dark green leaves are alternate and usually coarsely-toothed, ranging from 13 to 25 cm in length. The domed flowerheads are crimson in colour and measure 7–10 cm in diameter. They are cupped in a whorl of leafy bracts which are 5 to 7 cm long and also red. The outermost florets open first, with anthesis progressing towards the centre of the flowerhead, which becomes darker and more open in appearance, and begins attracting birds and insects. An individual flowerhead reaches full size about two weeks after first emerging from the bracteds, and lasts another two weeks before the flowers fade and fall. In late spring, there is a spurt of new growth after flowering, with new shoots often arising from old flowerheads. The exact date of flowering varies across the state.

Related posts:

Banksia grossa Banksia cuneata Telopea oreades Telopea truncata