Kangaroo Paw
Anigozanthos manglesii
Family: Haemodoraceae · Also called Anigozanthos, Cat's Paw, Red and Green Kangaroo Paw
Green & Fresh · Spring–Summer bloomer
Kangaroo paw looks like nothing else in the plant kingdom, tubular flowers covered in dense, velvety fur that splits open at the tip into six finger-like lobes, creating the unmistakable 'paw' shape. Colors range from red-and-green (the classic wild form) through yellow, orange, pink, and black in cultivated varieties.
uniqueness, reaching out, boldness
In the Victorian language of flowers, kangaroo paw means “Standing out from the crowd”. Western Australia's floral emblem, the red and green form (A. manglesii) is so iconic it appears on WA license plates. It's found nowhere else on Earth naturally. The cut flower industry has made kangaroo paw one of Australia's most successful floral exports, with cultivars bred for extended vase life and an extraordinary range of colors.
Did You Know?
The dense fur covering kangaroo paw flowers serves multiple purposes: it protects the flower from UV damage in the harsh Australian sun, provides grip for honeyeater birds as they feed, and the red-and-green coloring specifically targets bird vision (birds see red well, unlike many insects). The plant exists only in southwestern Australia, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.
Sandy coastal plains, laterite soils, and banksia woodland of the Perth region
Kangaroo Paw is native to Western Australia. It naturally grows in sandy coastal plains, laterite soils, and banksia woodland of the perth region.
Scent Profile
“Virtually unscented, kangaroo paw is pollinated by birds (honeyeaters) that are attracted by the furry, tubular flower form and nectar rather than fragrance. It's a purely visual and tactile flower.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameAnigozanthos manglesii
- FamilyHaemodoraceae
- Native ToWestern Australia
- Bloom SeasonSpring–Summer
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Western Australia's floral emblem, the red and green form (A. manglesii) is so iconic it appears on WA license plates. It's found nowhere else on Earth naturally. The cut flower industry has made kangaroo paw one of Australia's most successful floral exports, with cultivars bred for extended vase life and an extraordinary range of colors.