Kangaroo Paw

The south-west of Western Australia is one of the world's most notable plant diversity hot spots. Of all the extraordinary plants that grow there, none is more spectacular than the Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos species). Many have found their way into the horticultural trade. 

The main photo was taken today in the garden of a friend who lives nearby on the east coast of Australia, thousands of kilometres away from where these plants grow naturally. It may be Anigozanthos flavidus, or any one of a number of horticultural cultivars derived from it.

Although it's possible to grow Kangaroo Paws outside their place of origin, you really need to visit the south-west of Western Australia to see them in their full glory. Two of my favourites, photographed previously in Kings Park in Perth, are in extras today. The first is the Western Australia floral emblem, Anigozanthos manglesii. The second is the amazing black Kangaroo Paw, Macropidia fuliginosa.