Shrub to about 3 m tall. Leaves narrowly obovate to spoon-shaped, mostly 10-25 cm long, 2-6.5 cm wide, both surfaces with raised veins; margins toothed, occasionally entire. Flower heads dense, broad at the base and with over 100 flowers, opening from the base, the bracts mostly 5-9 cm long and bright red. Fruit 9-14 cm long.

This is the NSW floral emblem.

White flowers are occasionally encountered and the one below has been selected for horticulture.

NSW.

T. 'Cardinal' Robust shrub about 3 m by 3 m, prolifically flowering, with 100-120 blooms per plant; frost- and drought-resistant. Flowers red, domed and with to 210 florets. Bracts in 2 whorls, dark red, extending 2 cm beyond the flower; midto late Sept. Found on the property of Lucelle Pope, Werombi, NSW, in the 1950s and selected for cultivation by Paul Nixon, the original plant lasting about 39 years. A good cut flower. PVJ 10(3)55.

T.  'Fire And Brimstone' Habit robust, to about 2 m tall and 1 m wide, vigorous. Leaves to 4.5 cm long with medium-sized teeth. Flowers in cone-shaped cluster of up to 240 florets. Bracts triangular, in 2 whorls and clasping. Petals and styles pale to medium red, the stigmas tipped white. Selected by Paul Nixon from the wild near Kangaloon, NSW, in 1983. Frost-resistant and an excellent cut flower. PVJ 10(3)55.

T. 'Sunburst' Strong growth with flowers pure red in a neat formal shape, the bracts, styles and florets all RHS46C (colour), the long flower heads with long, flared bracts and flowers mid- to late season. Bred by the University of Sydney, NSW. Syn. 'Olympic Flame' PVJ 5(2)5. Also T. 'Sunflare' PVJ 5(2)5.

Source: Spencer, R.; Molyneux, B.; Mathews, D. (2002). Proteaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.