Macropidia

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Macropidia
Macropidia fuliginosa flowers.jpg
Macropidia fuliginosa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Commelinales
Family: Haemodoraceae
Subfamily: Conostylidoideae
Genus: Macropidia
J.Drumm. ex Harv.
Species:
M. fuliginosa
Binomial name
Macropidia fuliginosa

Macropidia fuliginosa, the sole species of genus Macropidia, is a perennial rhizomatous flowering plant. A relation of the kangaroo paws, Anigozanthus , which are also endemic to Southwest Australia, it is referred to as the black kangaroo paw. Bearing unusual black and green flowers, it occurs on a coastal plain from Perth to Geraldton. [1]

Contents

Taxonomy

A species of the Haemodoraceae family, once allied to the kangaroo paws Anigozanthus , but recognised as a separate and monotypic sister genus named Macropidia. [2] [3] It was first described by James Drummond in a letter intended for publication in 1843, and named as "Anigozanthus Molloyiae". Drummond wrote of this species as a flower of mourning, and provided the epithet in reference to the recently deceased Georgiana Molloy, an early botanical collector of the region. The first published description by W. J. Hooker in the Botanical Magazine provided the name Anigozanthos fuliginosa in 1847, [4] but its later separation by Drummond and William Henry Harvey to a new genus in 1855 used Macropidia fumosa. [5] The erection of a new genus followed a visit by Hooker to the Swan River colony in 1854, the region in which Drummond lived and collected. The priority of the Hooker's earlier epithet was recognised by G. C. Druce, who established its revision as the current name Macropidia fuliginosa in 1917. [6]

The type locality is not certain, and while once thought to have been collected in the Hill River region, Stephen Hopper gave the location as "near Moore River" in the Flora of Australia . The collection was made by Johnston Drummond in 1843, probably close to the site where he was killed two years later; Rica Erickson identified a possible site near New Norcia and determined that he did not habitually visit the Hill river region. [6]

The name kangaroo paw is given for the flowering branches resemblance to a kangaroos forearm. The 'black' species is contained by a monotypic genus, eleven other similar plants of this name are contained by the genus Anigozanthus . The generic name Macropidia refers to the kangaroo genus Macropus ; fuliginosa is from the Latin for soot (fuligo) referring to the black colouration. [7] The description of the species in the Botanical Magazine in 1847, then known only from dried specimens, gave the common name sooty anigozanthos. [4]

"Nollamara" is the Aboriginal word for the black kangaroo paw, a name given to a suburb of Perth.

Description

"Sooty Anigozanthos" - the Botanical Magazine, plate 4317 Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Plate 4291 (Volume 73, 1847).jpg
"Sooty Anigozanthos" - the Botanical Magazine , plate 4317

A small perennial herb with erect green-yellow leaves, its flowering scape is around one metre in height. [3] The leaves are strap-like, flattened, and between 315 and 460 mm long, 10 to 15 mm wide, and tightly arrayed at ground level. [8] They emerge from a stem beneath the ground, a rhizome, that allows the plants to regenerate after fire. Flowers occur in spring and summer on branched stem to a metre or more. Black hairs occur along the flowers and stems. [9]

The black and green color of the inflorescence is unusual in Australian plants, where it is only present in a few species of grevillea and another south-western species, Kennedia nigricans (black kennedia). The perianth curves back in an irregular form, leaving a tube between 12 and 18 mm long; the total length of this is 50 to 60 mm. [3]

Macropidia fuliginosa can be germinated from seed for cultivation, but with difficulty, [3] commercial production instead uses tissue culture as a means of propagation. It is not as widely propagated as the kangaroos paws of Anigozanthus , whose species are hardier and more successfully cultivated. [10]

It is classified as 'not threatened', within the Western Australian Flora Conservation Taxa. [8] [11]

Distribution

Macropidia fuliginosa is found in a distribution range extending north from Muchea to Walkaway, favouring low mallee and heath vegetation on white or lateritic sand of the Southwest Australia bioregion. The population is uncommon and widely dispersed, usually occurring as isolated individuals instead of several plants growing together in a clump. [3]

Ecology

It is pollinated by nectar feeding birds, those observed are the Meliphagidae (honeyeater) species, the tawny-crowned Gliciphila melanops , singing Gavicalis virescens , brown Lichmera indistincta , and white-cheeked honeyeater Phylidonyris niger . [3] [12]

Cultivation

When affected by disease it can be burned back to the ground and will regrow from the rhizome. Like many Australian natives it can withstand bushfire in the wild. [13] It is subject to fungal diseases such as the ink-spot fungus, and the rust fungus Puccinia haemodora. [14]

The plant is difficult to propagate from seed, and usually cultivated by tissue culture. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haemodoraceae</span> Family of flowering plants

Haemodoraceae is a family of perennial herbaceous flowering plants with 14 genera and 102 known species. It is sometimes known as the "bloodroot family". Primarily a Southern Hemisphere family, they are found in South Africa, Australia and New Guinea, and in the Americas. Perhaps the best known are the widely cultivated and unusual kangaroo paws from Australia, of the two closely related genera Anigozanthos and Macropidia.

<i>Anigozanthos</i> Genus of flowering plants

Anigozanthos is a genus of Southwest Australian plants of the bloodwort family Haemodoraceae. The 11 species and their subspecies are commonly known as kangaroo paw or catspaw, depending on their size, and the shape and colour of their flowers. A further species, previously identified as Anigozanthos fuliginosus, was separated to a monotypic genus as Macropidia fuliginosa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kangaroo paw</span> Plant species endemic to Western Australia

Kangaroo paw is the common name for a number of species, in two genera of the family Haemodoraceae, that are native to the south-west of Western Australia. These rhizomatous perennial plants are noted for their unique bird-attracting flowers. The tubular flowers are coated with dense hairs and open at the apex with six claw-like structures which resemble kangaroo forelimbs, and it is from this paw-like formation that the common name "kangaroo paw" is derived.

<i>Banksia prionotes</i> Species of shrub or tree in the family Proteaceae native to the southwest of Western Australia

Banksia prionotes, commonly known as acorn banksia or orange banksia, is a species of shrub or tree of the genus Banksia in the family Proteaceae. It is native to the southwest of Western Australia and can reach up to 10 m (33 ft) in height. It can be much smaller in more exposed areas or in the north of its range. This species has serrated, dull green leaves and large, bright flower spikes, initially white before opening to a bright orange. Its common name arises from the partly opened inflorescence, which is shaped like an acorn. The tree is a popular garden plant and also of importance to the cut flower industry.

<i>Banksia menziesii</i> Species of plant

Banksia menziesii, commonly known as firewood banksia, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Banksia. It is a gnarled tree up to 10 m (33 ft) tall, or a lower spreading 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) shrub in the more northern parts of its range. The serrated leaves are dull green with new growth a paler grey green. The prominent autumn and winter inflorescences are often two-coloured red or pink and yellow, and their colour has given rise to more unusual common names such as port wine banksia and strawberry banksia. Yellow blooms are rarely seen.

<i>Banksia occidentalis</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to the south coast of Western Australia

Banksia occidentalis, commonly known as the red swamp banksia, is a species of shrub or small tree that is endemic to the south coast of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, linear, sparsely serrated leaves, golden flowers in a cylindrical spike, and later up to sixty follicles in each spike.

<i>Banksia tricuspis</i> Species of shrub or small tree

Banksia tricuspis, commonly known as Lesueur banksia or pine banksia, is a plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a stunted tree or shrub with narrow leaves and cylindrical spikes of golden-coloured flowers and it occurs in a geographic range of just 15 square kilometres near Jurien.

<i>Banksia victoriae</i> Species of shrub or tree in the family Proteaceae endemic to Western Australia

Banksia victoriae, commonly known as Woolly Orange Banksia, is a species of large shrub or small tree in the plant genus Banksia. It occurs in Western Australia between Northampton, Western Australia and Kalbarri, with the occasional plant further north as far as Zuytdorp Nature Reserve.

<i>Anigozanthos manglesii</i> Species of flowering plant

Anigozanthos manglesii, commonly known as the red-and-green kangaroo paw, Mangles' kangaroo paw, kurulbrang (Noongar), is a plant species endemic to Western Australia, and the floral emblem of that state.

<i>Banksia nana</i> Species of shrub in Western Australia

Banksia nana, commonly known as dwarf dryandra, is a species of shrub that is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It has underground stems, pinnatipartite leaves with sharply-pointed lobes, pale green or yellow flowers and broadly egg-shaped follicles.

<i>Verticordia grandis</i> Species of shrub

Verticordia grandis is a large woody shrub that occurs in Southwest Australia. The name grandis, Latin for large, is a reference to its large flowers, leaves, and height. It is well known for its large flowers, which are collected and cultivated, and given the informal name of scarlet featherflower. It was the first species of the family Myrtaceae to have been genetically modified.

<i>Conostylis</i> Genus of flowering plants

Conostylis is a genus of perennial herbs in the Haemodoraceae family, commonly known as cone flowers. All species are endemic to the south west of Western Australia.

<i>Anigozanthos humilis</i> Species of flowering plant

Anigozanthos humilis is a species of Anigozanthos in the family Haemodoraceae. This flowering perennial plant is endemic to Southwest Australia and widespread in its open forests. Common names include catspaw and common catspaw.

<i>Kennedia coccinea</i> Species of legume

Kennedia coccinea, commonly known as coral vine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a twining, climbing or prostrate shrub with trifoliate leaves and orange-pink, red and pink, pea-like flowers.

<i>Anigozanthos flavidus</i> Species of plant found in Southwest Australia

Anigozanthos flavidus is a species of plant found in Southwest Australia. It is member of the Haemodoraceae family. It is commonly known as the tall, yellow, or evergreen, kangaroo paw. The specific epithet, flavidus, refers to the yellow flowers of this plant.

<i>Anigozanthos gabrielae</i> Species of flowering plant

Anigozanthos gabrielae is a species of Anigozanthos in the family Haemodoraceae known as dwarf kangaroo paw. This flowering, rhizomatous, perennial plant is endemic to Southwest Australia and grows on sand in areas which are wet in winter.

<i>Anigozanthos rufus</i> Species of flowering plant

Anigozanthos rufus is a grass-like evergreen perennial plant native to the southern coasts of Western Australia. Common names include red kangaroo paw, crimson kangaroo paw, and backdraft.

<i>Anigozanthos viridis</i> Species of flowering plant

Anigozanthos viridis, commonly known as Green Kangaroo Paw, is a grass-like perennial herb native to south western coastal regions of Western Australia. The Noongar peoples know the plant as Koroylbardany.

<i>Anigozanthos bicolor</i> Species of flowering plant

Anigozanthos bicolor, commonly known as cat's paw, little kangaroo paw or two coloured kangaroo paw, is a grass-like perennial herb native to the south western coastal parts of Western Australia.

<i>Anigozanthos onycis</i> Species of flowering plant

Anigozanthos onycis, the branched catspaw, is a rarely seen plant found in Southwest Australia.

References

  1. Kangaroo Paws Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  2. "Macropidia Harv". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hopper, Stephen; Wells, B. & B. (photography); Pieroni, M. (illustration) (1993). Kangaroo paws and catspaws; a natural history and field guide. Perth: CALM.
  4. 1 2 Hooker, W. J. (1847). "ANIGOZANTHOS fuliginosa. Sooty Anigozanthos". Botanical Magazine. 73: 4291.
  5. Hooker 1855 Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 7:57
  6. 1 2 Erickson, Rica (2005). "From Field and Study: James Drummond and the Black Kangaroo Paw [Macropidia fuliginosa]". The Western Australian Naturalist. 25 (1): 57–58.
  7. Macropidia fuliginosa Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  8. 1 2 "Macropidia fuliginosa (Hook.) Druce Black Kangaroo Paw". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  9. Macropidia fuliginosa Archived 2007-09-02 at the Wayback Machine Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP), 2006-02-20. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  10. Fact Sheet: Kangaroo Paws ABC Gardening Australia. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  11. Western Australian Flora Conservation Taxa Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation, 2006-08-07. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
  12. Black kangaroo paw Archived 2005-07-19 at the Wayback Machine Department of Agriculture, Western Australia. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  13. Paws for Reflection Archived 2007-09-05 at the Wayback Machine Brian Walters, Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  14. Kangaroo Paws: Pests and Diseases Archived 2007-09-04 at the Wayback Machine Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP), 2006-02-04. Retrieved 2007-09-29.