The plant has about 11 species. It is commonly called the kangaroo paw and catspaw. They are natives of Western Australia. This novel bloom's proper name, Anigozanthos, combines the Greek words anoigo, meaning "to open," and anthos, meaning "flower," and reflects this flower's inclination to open widely, flaring almost to the blossom's base. All varieties of Kangaroo Paw make delightful garden plants and do best in open, sunny positions.
Flowers, in summer, are an unusual shape and when closed resemble a kangaroo’s paw. The colors are varied and range from a dull yellow, to many combinations of green and red or orange. The leaves of some species are hairy. From the heart of the rosette merge long leafless stalks, which can reach 2 m, ending in a raceme of flowers? The size and the height of these stalks vary between the species. Leaves are prone to attack by ink disease which causes black blotches on them. There is no cure, so remove them and fresh growth will occur normally the following spring.
The plant can be cultivated in a greenhouse that has a minimum winter temperature of 50 degrees and they can be grown outside in mild, dry climates.
These vigorous plants grow from 3 to 4 feet high and spread up to 18 inches. The plant grows from short, underground, horizontal rhizomes. The length and the character of these may vary between the species. Some are fleshy, others are fragile. The sap in the root system allows the plants to survive extreme dry spells. They can be increased by division in the spring, or by seed sown fresh in late summer
Kangaroo Paw provides delicate textural contrast and distinctive shape in designs. In full, massive arrangements, these flowers have a woodsy quality. They work in oriental style arrangements as well. Kangaroo paws are much in demand as house plants and as cut flowers.
Did you know?
· The most familiar to florists is Anigozanthos flavidus, which is available in red and yellow varieties.
· A. manglesii has linear- to lance-shaped, gray green leaves that grow up to 16 inches long.
