Anigozanthos manglesii
Common names: Mangles Kangaroo Paw, Red and Green 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.
manglesii - in honour of Robert Mangles (d. 1860), 19th century horticultural enthusiast, who raised the type specimen from seed in his English garden.
Description
Typically, red and varying shades of green flowers appear at the end of flower stalks up to 120 cm tall. Mid green strappy leaves extending from a central point at the base. Colour variations are fairly common amongst manglesii, with plants presenting green/yellow, and combinations of pink, orange and green flowers (called ‘sports') often found among populations.
Distribution
Restricted mainly to the coastal plains, from Shark Bay in the north, extending south to Cape Leeuwin, and further inland in south-west WA. Anigozanthos manglesii is known to hybridise naturally with other species of Anigozanthos. Refer to the distribution map for this species via the Department of Environment and Conservation's FloraBase online herbarium.
Flowering Season
August to November.
Cultivation/Propagation
Can be grown from seed, but may require pre-treatments such as heat shock or smoke. Best treated as biennial. See plant notes for further propagation advice.
Pests and Diseases
Very attractive to snails and slugs, particularly when young, and to a lesser extent, caterpillars. Susceptible to ink-spot and rust fungus, which can be minimised by avoiding overhead watering.
View In Kings Park
At entry to the Western Australian Botanic Garden (opposite Fraser's Restaurant) and east of the Lord Forrest statue, along the border of Lovekin Drive and May Drive intersection. To help locate these sites, you may download the Western Australian Botanic Garden Guide brochure via our brochures page.
Notes
A good plant for attracting nectar-feeding birds into your garden.
Anigozanthos manglesii is the floral emblem of Western Australia and one of the three plants incorporated into the Botanic Gardens & Parks Authority logo. It is also the Kangaroo Paw represented in the marble mosaic artwork, created by artists Rudolph Verschoor and Jacqueline Pinnock, forming part of the entry statement to the Botanic Garden.