Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority - Anigozanthos flavidus

Common Name: Tall Kangaroo Paw, Evergreen Kangaroo Paw

Family: HAEMODORACEAE

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Origin of Scientific Name

Anigozanthos – (Greek) anisos – unequal; and anthos – a flower, with the g inserted for ease of pronunciation.

flavidus – (Latin) yellowish.

Description

Anigozanthos flavidus is one of 11 species and 11 subspecies belonging to this genus. All Kangaroo Paws are classed as perennial herbs and have strap-like leaves arising from underground rhizomes.

It forms a large clump, producing numerous flowers on exceptionally long stems up to three metres tall. The flowers are usually yellow and green; however a range of colours can occur naturally including yellow, orange, pink, rust-red and purple.

The southern half of Western Australia is the only place in the world where the genus Anigozanthos is found growing naturally, and the natural distribution of A. flavidus is the south-west coastal corner of Western Australia, from Albany on the south coast, to Mandurah on the west coast.

The species has been used extensively in plant breeding for hybridisation with other kangaroo paw species to deliver new cultivars with improved flower size and vigour.

Horticultural tips

A. flavidus is the easiest of all Kangaroo Paws to cultivate and can be grown from seed, but may require pre-treatment such as heat shock at 100 °C for 60 minutes) or smoke.
Easily divided by cutting the underground rhizome into sections with a knife or spade, making sure each piece has a healthy bud.
Prefers a sunny position or light shade.
Adapted to a variety of garden soils, including poorly drained areas.
Flourishes with brutal pruning; you can cut them down to ground level when flowering has finished, and they will be back next season. Following such a pruning they should be fed with slow release fertiliser for Australian plants.

For more horticultural tips view our Plant Notes section.

View in Kings Park

Visit Kings Park and Botanic Garden to see Anigozanthos flavidus in the Kangaroo Paw garden bed within the WA Botanic Garden. You will also find plantings at the bottom of the Water Garden (refer to map).