Anigozanthos flavidus
Anigozanthos flavidus
Common Name: Tall Kangaroo Paw
Family: HAEMODORACEAE (14 genera)
Origin of Scientific Name:
Anigozanthos – origin uncertain, but the three possibilities are from Greek anisos = unequal (alluding to the corolla), anichos = elevated (as hands in prayer), or anoigo = to open or undo (alluding to the open branching of the flower stems) + Greek anthos = flower.
flavidus – Latin = yellowish
Description
Anigozanthos flavidus is one of 11 species and 11 subspecies belonging to this genus. It grows from 0.5 to 3 metres tall, usually with yellow/green or rust red flowers, on exceptionally long stems. All Kangaroo Paws are classed as perennial herbs and have strap-like leaves arising from underground rhizomes.
Distribution
The southern half of Western Australia is the only place in the world where the genus Anigozanthos is found growing naturally, and A. flavidus’ natural distribution is on the south-west coastal corner of Western Australia, from Albany on the south coast, to Mandurah on the west coast.
Refer to the distribution map for this species via the Department of Environment and Conservation's FloraBase online herbarium.
Red variety
Flowering Season
November to February.
Cultivation/Propagation
A. flavidus are the easiest of all Kangaroo Paws to cultivate and can be grown from seed, but may require pre-treatment such as heat shock (100 °C for 60 minutes) or smoke. They are also easily divided by cutting the underground rhizome into sections with a knife or shovel, making sure each piece has a healthy bud.
They prefer a sunny position or light shade, adapt to a variety of garden soils, including poorly drained areas and flourish with brutal pruning; you can whipper-snipper them down to ground level when flowering has finished, and they will be back next season.
Pests and Diseases
Kangaroo Paws are very attractive to snails, slugs and to a lesser extent, caterpillars, particularly when young. They are also susceptible to ink-spot and rust fungus, which can be minimised by avoiding overhead watering.
View In Kings Park
In the garden beds surrounding Aspects of Kings Park, Fraser’s Restaurant and Botanical Cafe. You will also find plantings along Law Walk close to where the Lotterywest Federation Walkway crosses overhead.
To help locate these sites, you may be interested in downloading the Western Australian Botanic Garden Guide brochure via our brochures page.