Telopea oreades

Telopea oreades, commonly known as the Gippsland-, mountain- or Victorian waratah, is a large shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae. Native to southeastern Australia, it is found in wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest on rich acidic soils high in organic matter. No subspecies are recognised, though a northern isolated population hybridises extensively with the Braidwood waratah (T. mongaensis). Reaching a height of up to 19 m, T. oreades grows with a single trunk and erect habit. It has dark green leaves with prominent veins that are 11-28 cm long and 1.5 – wide. The red flower heads, known as inflorescences, appear in late spring. Each is composed of up to 60 individual flowers. In the garden, T. oreades grows in soils with good drainage and ample moisture in part-shaded or sunny positions. Several commercially available cultivars that are hybrid forms with T. speciosissima have been developed, such as the 'Shady Lady' series. The timber is hard and has been used for making furniture and tool handles.

No narrative description available for this taxon yet.