Lyla Lindsey
Australia's states and territories have their own unique floral emblems, which symbolise the country's diverse natural habitats. The national floral emblem of Australia is the Golden Wattle, which was officially recognised in 1988. Each state and territory has its own flower, tree or plant species that represents its unique natural environment and cultural heritage. For example, the floral emblem of New South Wales is the Waratah, a flower that gets its name from an Aboriginal word meaning a tree with red flowers. Victoria, the first state to choose an official emblem flower, selected the Common Heath as its floral symbol, while Queensland chose the Cooktown Orchid. These floral emblems are a source of pride for each state and territory, and they showcase the beauty and diversity of Australia's natural world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| National floral emblem of Australia | Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Royal Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa) |
| New South Wales (NSW) | Waratah (Telopea speciosissima) |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Sturt's Desert Rose (Gossypium sturtianum) |
| Queensland (Qld) | Cooktown Orchid (Dendrobium phalaenopsis) |
| South Australia (SA) | Sturt's Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa) |
| Tasmania (Tas) | Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) |
| Victoria (Vic) | Common Heath (Epacris impressa) |
| Western Australia (WA) | Red and Green Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii) |
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What You'll Learn
National floral emblem: Golden Wattle
Australia's national floral emblem is the Golden Wattle, also known by its botanical name Acacia pycnantha. The journey to becoming the national emblem began in 1838 when Acacia species was first used as a national emblem. In 1899, Archibald Campbell founded the Wattle Club in Victoria to promote the unique Australian flower. On 1 September 1910, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide celebrated the first national "Wattle Day". However, it wasn't until 1988 that Parliament officially recognized and proclaimed Golden Wattle as Australia's national floral emblem. Wattle Day is now annually celebrated on 1 September, marking a 200-year journey of the Golden Wattle as a national symbol.
The Golden Wattle is a unique Australian flower with a special significance. Its sprigs adorn the Australian Coat of Arms, adding a distinctive glow. The flower is native to the country and symbolizes Australia's diverse natural habitats. The Golden Wattle is not just an emblem but also a part of the country's history and cultural identity.
The choice of Golden Wattle as the national emblem was not without competition. The New South Wales waratah, with its prominent flowers, was a strong contender. The economist and botanist R. T. Baker advocated for the waratah, emphasizing its endemism to the Australian continent. Despite the support, the Golden Wattle prevailed in 1912, and its selection as the national emblem reflected its special place in Australia's natural heritage.
The Golden Wattle is an enduring symbol of Australia's natural beauty and diversity. Its recognition as the national floral emblem showcases the country's appreciation for its unique flora. The emblem also serves as a reminder of the country's rich botanical heritage, which spans from the coast to the alps and the vast red center. Australia's national and state floral emblems are a source of pride and a testament to the beauty and diversity of the country's natural environment.
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New South Wales: Waratah
The Waratah, or Telopea speciosissima, is the floral emblem of New South Wales. It was proclaimed as such in 1962 by the then governor, Sir Eric Woodward, although it had been used informally for many years prior. The Waratah is native to south-eastern Australia and can be found in the forest understorey, on sandstone ridges, and in nearby mountain ranges and on the south coast of New South Wales. It grows to a height of between 3 and 4 metres and has dark, razored leathery leaves. The plant is pollinated by birds such as the Honey Eater, which is attracted to the flower's brilliant colour and abundant nectar. The Waratah blooms from September to November, with a vibrant crimson flowerhead that can measure up to 15cm across.
The Waratah is also the name of a suburb in New South Wales, Australia, 6 kilometres from Newcastle's central business district. The suburb was named after Waratah House, which was built in 1848 by Charles Simpson and was named for the abundance of Waratah flowers growing on the property. Waratah House was demolished in 1993, but the suburb retains the name. Waratah has a shopping centre, a railway station, and two hotels, among other amenities.
The Waratah has cultural significance for First Nations people, who used the stalk of the flower to make necklaces. The flower was also used to make a tonic for children. The Waratah has appeared on postage stamps and in works of art, and it is the mascot for the NSW Rugby Union team, The Waratahs.
While the Waratah was considered as a national floral emblem, it lost out to the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) in 1912. One reason for this decision was that Wattle species are found across all of Australia, whereas the Waratah is native only to the south-east.
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Northern Territory: Sturt's Desert Rose
The floral emblem of the Northern Territory in Australia is Sturt's Desert Rose, or Gossypium sturtianum. This shrub can grow up to 2 metres tall and bears beautiful five-petalled flowers in shades of pale mauve, pink, and lilac, with a distinctive dark red spot at the base. The Sturt's Desert Rose is a unique and attractive addition to the landscape of the Northern Territory, and its prominence has led to its adoption as the official floral emblem of the state.
The Northern Territory is an extensive and sparsely populated area in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The region is known for its diverse landscapes, including tropical rainforests, sweeping desert plains, and rugged mountain ranges. The Northern Territory is also home to a variety of unique flora and fauna, with many species found nowhere else on Earth.
Sturt's Desert Rose is a resilient and hardy plant, well-adapted to the often harsh conditions of the Northern Territory. It is native to the region and can be found growing wild in many areas, particularly in the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. This shrub is a member of the mallow family and is characterised by its woody stems and attractive flowers.
The flowers of Sturt's Desert Rose typically bloom in spring and summer, adding a splash of colour to the landscape. The shrub is also known for its ability to survive in arid conditions, often growing in areas with poor soil and low water availability. The resilience and beauty of Sturt's Desert Rose have likely contributed to its selection as the floral emblem of the Northern Territory.
The floral emblems of Australia's states and territories were chosen to represent the unique natural beauty and diversity of the country's flora. Each state and territory has its own official flower, which is a source of pride and often featured in state symbols, artwork, and tourism promotions. The Northern Territory's choice of Sturt's Desert Rose reflects the region's natural beauty and the resilience of its flora in the face of challenging environmental conditions.
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Queensland: Cooktown Orchid
Queensland's floral emblem is the Cooktown Orchid, also known by its scientific name Dendrobium phalaenopsis. This orchid was chosen as the state's official flower during Queensland's centenary celebrations in 1959. The orchid's common name refers to the town of Cooktown in northern Queensland, which was named by Captain Cook after his ship was repaired there in 1770. The area also falls within the orchid's natural range.
The Cooktown Orchid is a native orchid with mauve-pink or occasionally white flowers. It is an epiphytic orchid, meaning it grows on tree trunks and branches in far north-east Queensland. This region experiences heavy summer rains that drench the paperbark woodlands and vine thickets where the orchid is found. The generic name Dendrobium comes from the Greek words 'dendron' (tree) and 'bios' (life).
The Cooktown Orchid is now rare in the wild due to habitat loss and collection. While it can be grown outdoors as far south as Brisbane, it requires warmer and well-lit conditions to thrive in places like Melbourne, where it is typically grown in greenhouses or warm rooms.
As floral emblems, these flowers symbolise Queensland's diverse natural habitats, and their unique characteristics have made them a source of interest and pride for the state and its people.
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South Australia: Sturt's Desert Pea
Sturt's Desert Pea, or the botanical name, Swainsona formosa, is the floral emblem of South Australia. It is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is native to all continental Australian states and the Northern Territory, except Victoria. The plant was named after English botanist Isaac Swainson, and the common name was given in honour of the British explorer of Australia, Charles Sturt.
Sturt's Desert Pea is a well-known Australian native flower and is widespread in arid parts of inland Australia, including Western Australia, South Australia, the southern parts of the Northern Territory, western New South Wales, and Queensland. It grows in red sandy or loamy soils, near creek lines, and on stony hills, sometimes in woodlands and open plains. The plant is well-adapted to life as a desert plant, with small seeds that have a long viability and can germinate after many years. The seeds have a hard seed coat that protects them from harsh arid environments until rainfall arrives.
The plant is easily recognisable, with distinctive slender-tipped red flowers, known as a 'boss', and grey-green leaves. It is a sprawling plant with stems that can reach up to 2 metres in length. Its iconic status in Australia, especially in South Australia, has made it a popular subject in artwork and photography. It has also appeared in Aboriginal legends and several releases of Australian postage stamps.
Sturt's Desert Pea was first collected by William Dampier, who recorded his sighting on 22 August 1699 on Rosemary Island. The first formal description of the species was given by George Don in 1832, who named it Donia formosa. However, the name was changed several times over the years, with various publications using different names, such as Sturt's Pea, Sturt Pea, Captain Sturt's Desert Pea, and Glory Flower.
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Frequently asked questions
The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha).
The Waratah (Telopea speciosissima).
Sturt's Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa).
Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus).
Common Heath (Epacris impressa).
