Description This tree (Alloxylon flammeum syn Oreocallis) comes from the Atherton Tablelands Queensland. It is one of the most spectacular of all Australian native plants, growing (in cultivation) to 7m and spreading to 3m. In late spring, early summer, it has deep green leaves and bright scarlet flowers in clusters, resembling the Waratah. Alloxylon belongs to the Proteaceae family along with Waratah and Banksia.
Care It prefers a shaded garden, dappled shade or morning sun. It loves a deep layer of mulch to keep its roots cool, and due to its rainforest origins does not like drying out. Despite its tropical origin, tree waratah has been successfully cultivated in cooler districts at least as far south as Sydney where the plant flowers reliably. It is tolerant of a range of soils provided they are not waterlogged. It will survive extended dry periods once established but flowering is reduced under these conditions. Established plants will withstand moderate frosts but heavy frosts will cause damage. Autumn is the best time to plant a Tree Waratah.
Alloxylon flammeum is now the accepted name for the tree waratah. In addition to A.flammeum, there are two other Australian species in the genus....A.wickhamii from north Queensland and A.pinnata from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. A fourth species is found in Papua New Guinea.
Uses It makes an excellent privacy screen in a tropical or rainforest garden.
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