Red and Green Kangaroo Paw

"The floral emblem of Western Australia"

Brilliant colours and shaped like a real Aussie kangaroo paw!

Red Green Kangaroo Paw Anigozanthos manglesii Red and Green Kangaroo Paw - (Anigozanthos manglesii)

Red and Green Kangaroo Paw is aptly named as is similar to a real Kangaroo paw. The plant is a low growing evergreen shrub it has broad leaves that are about 30 to 60 cm long and taper to an acute apex.

The flowering stem grows to about a metre in height and the bases of the flowers are usually deep red and covered with woolly hairs.

Some of the other colours include orange, green with an orange base, bright yellow with a red base, metallic blue with a red base and can come in all white. The plant flowers in the autumn, usually between August and October. Flowers cut from the plant last well in water and its brilliant colours and unusual form make excellent decoration and dried arrangements.

The flowering stems change to a brilliant green for most of the flower which opens by splitting revealing the smooth pale green interior. The plant grows to about a metre in height and the stem and the bases of the flowers are usually a darker red and covered with a type of woolly hair. The flowers are pollinated by birds partaking of the nectar.

The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw seeds germinate with out much trouble, especially placed into or sown in sandy soil. They are also able to be propagated by root division. The foliage is very attractive to insects, slugs and snails the use of snail bait is recommended.

The species is susceptible to a number of diseases, so cultivation in an open sunny positions and the avoidance of overhead watering will possibly reduce the severity of disease.

Red and Green Kangaroo Paw, was proclaimed the floral emblem of Western Australia on 9 November 1960. The species is protected flora. Collectors of any whole plants and flowers must be licensed.