Anigozanthos manglesii

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anigozanthos manglesii

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Commelinales
Family:	Haemodoraceae
Subfamily:	Conostyloideae
Genus:	Anigozanthos
Species:	A. manglesii

Binomial name

Anigozanthos manglesii
D.Don

Anigozanthos manglesii, commonly known as the Red and Green Kangaroo Paw or Mangles Kangaroo Paw, is a plant species endemic to Western Australia and the floral emblem of that state.

1 Description
2 Distribution
3 Taxonomy
4 Cultivars
5 Cultivation
6 Symbolic and artistic references
7 See also
8 References

[edit] Description

Anigozanthos manglesii is a rhizotomous perennial which has long, grey-green linear leaves which are usually around 30 to 60 cm long. Its red and green flowers appear at the end of long stalks between late winter and late spring.

[edit] Distribution

[edit] Taxonomy

The species was first described by English botanist David Don in 1834 from the type specimen.

"This singularly beautiful species of Anigozanthos was raised in the garden at Whitmore Lodge, Berks., the seat of Robert Mangles, Esq. from seeds brought from Swan River by Sir James Stirling, the enterprizing governor of that colony, by whom they had been presented to Mr. Mangles."

There are two recognised subspecies as follows:

Anigozanthos manglesii subsp. quadrans Hopper
Anigozanthos manglesii D.Don subsp. manglesii

Anigozanthos manglesii hybridises naturally with a number of other Anigozanthos species:

A. viridis – progeny have been named Anigozanthos manglesii var. × angustifolius Lindl. and Anigozanthos manglesii var. × virescens Ostenf.
A. bicolor
A. kalbarriensis
A. humilis

[edit] Cultivars

Anigozanthos manglesii is often artificially hybridized with A flavidus and to a lesser extent A. rufus. Cultivars include:

'Autumn Mystery' - A. manglesii x A. flavidus
'Big Red' - A. manglesii x A. flavidus
'Bush Emerald' - A. manglesii x A. flavidus
'Hickman’s Delight' - A. manglesii x A. flavidus
'Rogue Radiance' - (A. manglesii x A. rufus) x A. flavidus
'Space Age' - A manglesii x A. flavidus
'Sue Dixon' - (A. manglesii x A. rufus) x A. flavidus

[edit] Cultivation

The species germinates readily from seed . As plants generally deteriorate after the second season, they are best treated as a biennial. They are dormant in the summer, and watering should be withheld during this period. They are susceptible to the fungal ink spot disease and the leaves are attractive to snails. They are often used as cut flowers, due to their unique appearance and lasting qualities.

[edit] Symbolic and artistic references

In 1960, Anigozanthos manglesii was adopted as the floral emblem of Western Australia. It also appears on the armorial bearings of that state. A Red and Green Kangaroo Paw superimposed over a scene of Perth was depicted on a 5 pence on a 1962 Australian stamp issue designed by R. M. Warner to mark the British Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Perth that year. In 1968 another stamp issue, designed by Nell Wilson, showed the Red and green Kangaroo Paw as part of a series on state floral emblems.