What's Blooming

Kangaroo Paws

(Anigozanthos spp. and cultivars)

Australia Garden, Flower Dome

Commonly known as kangaroo paw, Anigozanthos is a striking genus of flowering plants native to Australia. Renowned for its unique, hairy, paw-like flowers that resemble the feet of kangaroos, this herbaceous perennial monocot thrives in the open, eucalyptus forests and coastal regions of Australia, showcasing flowers in a variety of colors including vibrant reds, yellows and greens.

One of the most striking species in the genus, the red and green kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos manglesii) was proclaimed the floral emblem of Western Australia on 9 November 1960!

      
Featuring long, strap-like leaves and fuzzy, tubular flowers that emerge in spring, the kangaroo paw attracts a host of nectar-loving birds, such as honeyeaters and wattlebirds. The unique shape of these flowers allows the birds to easily access the nectar inside. Alongside at least 15% of the plant species native to the Southwest Australian Floristic Region, kangaroo paws have evolved to be bird-pollinated as opposed to insect-pollinated, since larger pollinators like birds can travel longer distances than insects between the islands of vegetation that dot the harsh, dry landscape there.

The red, orange, or yellow, unscented, tubular flowers are characteristic of bird-pollinated plants, as birds can see reds, oranges, and yellows very well, have a poor sense of smell, making floral fragrances, unnecessary, and long beaks or tongues to reach the nectaries at the base of long flowers, picking up and transferring pollen in the process! The vibrant colors of the kangaroo paw flowers also serve as a visual beacon to attract birds, as they stand out against the green foliage, making them easy to spot!

The genus name Anigozanthos likely originated from the Greek words ‘anises’, meaning ‘unequal’ or ‘oblique,’ and ‘anthos’, meaning ‘flower’. This is in reference to the flower’s morphology, which features six unequal parts. Many kangaroo paw species grow from underground stems or rhizomes which can get up to 5cm in diameter. Did you know that these rhizomes can survive harsh conditions such as fire and drought? Once the environmental condition improves, the plants can resprout from their underground stems, proving that they have a resilience to match their floral beauty! Come and check out these woolly blooms in the Flower Dome’s ongoing Carnival of Flowers display, as well as the Australia Garden! 

This article is part of our What's Blooming series.