Anigozanthos manglesii

(Red and Green Kangaroo Paw)

The Red and Green Kangaroo Paw became Western Australia's floral emblem in 1960.

This striking Kangaroo Paw is common in bushland around Perth. It's only found naturally in a restricted area in the state's south-west. It is a most delightful garden plant, not only because it looks dramatic but it's bird attracting too.

Anigozanthos manglesii is named in honour of Robert Mangles who raised the type specimen from seed in his English garden.

Description and Requirements

By definition, the Red and Green Kangaroo Paw is a 'low growing sub-shrub growing from an underground stem'. Colloquially, we usually refer to its growth as a 'tufting plant'. The strappy leaves grow to between 30 and 60 cm in length, with the flowering stem growing up to a metre in height.

The flower stem and base of the flowers are usually deep red and are covered with coarse hairs, and each flower is a brilliant green, as shown here (photograph courtesy of Sheila, www.pbase.com/sheils/image/45155012. The flower splits open to reveal a pale green interior.

There are other colours, including orange and green with an orange base; bright yellow with a red base; metallic blue with a red base; and even an all white form.

In its natural habitat it flowers from August to October, depending on weather conditions.

The plant needs full sun and very well drained sandy soil. It's drought tolerant but enjoys regular water, but it does not tolerate wet conditions or frost.

Ink Disease and Snails

In the Eastern states, especially Melbourne, the plant is very susceptible to ink disease, which is usually caused by Alternaria alternata, a fungus disease that causes blackening of leaves and eventually the death of the plant. It is also susceptible to rust fungus, Puccinia haemodora.

Keen gardeners continue to persevere with the plant though, as it is such a beautiful plant in flower. Their efforts are being rewarded, as the plant's popularity has encouraged breeders to introduce cultivars which are more resistant to fungal attack and the plant's other main enemy: snails! It is very prone to snail attack but these are easily controlled with the usual methods (see our information sheet Snail and Slug Control).

Unfortunately fungicides don't seem to have any effect on controlling ink disease. Many books suggest that the plant be treated as a two-year plant in the Eastern states, as it propagates very easily.

Slash and Burn

In Western Australia, vegetation managers have discovered that slashing the plant after flowering, followed by burning is successful in reducing pest and disease problems.

'In the cemetery at Gingin there are populations of A.manglesii and A.humilis which have been slashed and burned in late spring or autumn every year but one since 1973 and probably since the early 60's (Stephen Hopper, pers. comm.). Under these conditions these crowded populations of kangaroo paws have kept remarkably free of pests and diseases. When I thoroughly checked the area in September 1990, I could find no trace of disease and almost no pests, only a very few flowers showing some insect damage.' farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/paws1.html

The plant in the wild is protected. Collectors of any whole plants and flowers must be licensed.

Information sources:
Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg. M., 2003, Australian Native Plants, 5th edition, New Holland press.
Australian National Botanic Garden www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/wa.emblem.html
farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/paws1.html

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