Kangaroo paw

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aspect of a Anigozanthos manglesii showing the characteristic of the plant from which its name is derived Kangaroo paw 260920 gnangarra 15 years-101.jpg
aspect of a Anigozanthos manglesii showing the characteristic of the plant from which its name is derived
Anigozanthos flavidus Anigozanthos flavidus close-up.jpg
Anigozanthos flavidus
Macropidia fuliginosa Macropidia fulginosa SMC.JPG
Macropidia fuliginosa

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 [1] 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. [2]

Contents

The kangaroo paw plant has been introduced into Japan and has been grown as a new ornamental crop mainly in Okinawa Island under a subtropical climate. [3]

History

The genus Anigozanthos' author was French botanist Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardière, who first collected the kangaroo paw in 1792 near Esperance. Red and green kangaroo paw or Kurulbrang (Noongar [4] ) was introduced to England in 1833, and was first described in 1836 by botanist David Don. The specific name manglesii is so named in honour of the first individual to raise the specimen from seed, Robert Mangles, which he did in his English garden. His experience with growing the specimen is recorded in letters to his brother James Mangles. [5]

The red and green kangaroo paw was adopted as the state emblem of Western Australia in a proclamation on 9 October 1960. [6] An image of a red and green kangaroo paw was superimposed onto a view of Perth from a distance on a 5 pence stamp, issued 1 November 1962, commemorating the Seventh British Empire and Commonwealth Games which were held in Perth that year. The stamp was designed by R. M. Warner. The red and green kangaroo paw was again included on a stamp on 10 July 1968, which were six cent stamps in a series of state floral emblems. It was designed by Nell Wilson. [5]

In 1990, disease was found on the kangaroo paw plant in Okinawa. The unreported fungi, which caused the plant to become very limp and wilt, was characterised by a discolouration of the plant leaving it a brown to black colour around the stalks, leaves and base of the plant. As the plant began to discolour over time, white cottony mycelia started to appear at the surface of the lesions and then the plant eventually died. [3]

Cultivation and cut flowers

The plant is native to south-western Australia, occurring naturally from the Murchison River in the North to Busselton and Mount Barker in the South, and Lake Muir to the East. It has been developed as a cut-flower crop in the United States, Israel and Japan. In Israel, plants are propagated from tissue culture imported from Australia and are then grown in unheated greenhouses in natural day conditions. [7] The plants have found their way to California and become popular among garden supply businesses there. [8]

Research

In 2007 Kings Park Botanic and Garden Board started a breeding program to protect the Kangaroo Paw from disease and the impact of climate changes. During this effort cross breading between 5 different species brought about new colouring including blue shades. The breeding program is working with Edith Cowan University to map the genome sequences, look to find disease and drought resistant triggers for the plant. [9]

Research leading up to 2020 has been able to produce many new colours for the kangaroo paw including blues, purples, whites, and many more. This has led to genetic research and DNA sequencing similar to that carried out on Snapdragons to understanding the colours of the flower. [10] Other research has been conducted that indicates an extract of the plant may help firm the skin as it targets young cells causing increased collagen output. [11]

Classification

From the genus Anigozanthos :

From the genus Macropidia :

See also

The smaller Anigozanthos humilis is known as cat's paw Anigozanthos humilis Gnangarra-11.jpg
The smaller Anigozanthos humilis is known as cat's paw

Additional species in the genus Anigozanthos exist. They resemble kangaroo paws, however, they are instead known as cat's paws:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coat of arms of Western Australia</span>

The coat of arms of Western Australia is the official coat of arms of the Australian state of Western Australia. It was granted by a royal warrant of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia dated 17 March 1969.

<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 color of their flowers. A further species, previously identified as Anigozanthos fuliginosus, was separated to a monotypic genus as Macropidia fuliginosa.

Mangles is the name of a wealthy English family whose members had amongst other things, interests in the Swan River Colony.

<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>Macropidia</i> Genus of flowering plants

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.

<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>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.

James Mangles was an officer of the Royal Navy, naturalist, horticulturalist and writer. He served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, rising to the rank of captain. In the post-war period, with his brothers Robert and George, who shared his interests in horticulture, botany and plant collection, James was actively involved in the botanical, horticultural and commercial life of early colonial Western Australia.

<i>Iris arenaria</i> Species of plant

Sandy iris is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus of Iris and in the Psammiris section. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from Central Europe, found in Hungary, Austria, Romania, Czech Republic and Ukraine. It has grass-like leaves, a short stem and pale yellow flowers. It has had a mixed origin and was once Iris humilis subsp. arenaria, a subspecies of Iris humilis, until it was reclassified as a separate species. But many sources still state that it is either a synonym or subspecies of Iris humilis. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Caladenia busselliana</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia busselliana, commonly known as Bussell's spider orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a rare orchid with an erect, hairy leaf and up to three pale yellow flowers. Only about fifty specimens are known and it is threatened by habitat destruction and by too-frequent or too infrequent bushfires.

<i>Xanthorrhoea gracilis</i> Species of flowering plant

Xanthorrhoea gracilis, commonly known as the graceful grasstree, grassboy or mimidi, is a species of grasstree of the genus Xanthorrhoea native to Western Australia.

<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. Churchill, Jennie (9 May 2003). "Fact Sheet: Kangaroo Paws". Gardening Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  2. "THE KANGAROO PAW". Bridgetown Advocate . Vol. IXX, no. 1020. Western Australia. 12 July 1946. p. 3 (MODERN WEEKLY news magazine). Retrieved 27 September 2020 via National Library of Australia.
  3. 1 2 Satou, Ichinoe, Fukumoto, Tezuka, & Horiuchi. (2001). Fusarium blight of kangaroo paw (anigozanthos spp.) caused by fusarium chlamydosporum and fusarium semitectum.Journal of Phytopathology, 149(3‐4), 203-206. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0434.2001.00588.x
  4. Neville, Collard. "Plants and People in Mooro Country" (PDF). Yellagonga Regional Park. City of Joondalup. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Red and Green Kangaroo Paw". Australian National Herbarium. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  6. "Floral Emblems of Australia Proclamation". Australian National Herbarium. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  7. Tsror (Lahkim), L., Hazanovsky, M., Mordechai‐Lebiush, S., Ben‐David, T., Dori, I., & Matan, E. (2005). Control of root rot and wilt caused by pythium myriotylum in kangaroo paw (anigozanthos). Journal of Phytopathology, 153(3), 150-154. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0434.2005.00944.x
  8. "San Marcos Growers >Kangaroo Paws Jump Into California Gardens". www.smgrowers.com. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  9. Kruijff, Peter de (16 March 2022). "Climate change drives Perth's creation of new blue kangaroo paw". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  10. "A rainbow of colours possible as secrets of the kangaroo paw are unlocked". www.abc.net.au. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  11. "The Day Salon 2018 March" . Retrieved 12 April 2019.