Etymology Map
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Waratah

2 stages from Dharug to English.

Today it means an Australian shrub with large crimson flower heads, the floral emblem of New South Wales

Where does the word "waratah" come from? It comes from Dharug warada, adopted directly into English (1790s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
warada
Dharug · 1780s
"waratah shrub"
the red-flowered shrub of the Sydney sandstone country; the botanist James Edward Smith described it in 1793 from specimens sent from the new colony
2
Stage 2 of 2
waratah
English · 1790s
"red-flowered shrub"
adopted by the colonists; New South Wales proclaimed it the state's floral emblem in 1962
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Read the full story

Waratah’s story begins in Dharug: warada meant “waratah shrub.” The red-flowered shrub of the Sydney sandstone country; the botanist James Edward Smith described it in 1793 from specimens sent from the new colony. It reached English by 1790s as waratah. Adopted by the colonists; New South Wales proclaimed it the state's floral emblem in 1962. Today, waratah means an Australian shrub with large crimson flower heads, the floral emblem of New South Wales.