Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos)

The Kangaroo Paw is native to the open eucalyptus forests of Western Australia and named for the appearance of its unopened flower cluster. The flowers appear in red. purple, green, or yellow.

The plants have a basal rosette of long green to greyish-green leaves. The leaves of some species are hairy. From the heart of this roset merge long leafless stalks, which can reach 2 m, ending in a raceme of flowers. The size and the height of these stalks varies between the species. They can be clothed in coloured hairs. The tuberous flower buds are also covered with coloured hairs, giving it a velvety aspect. These long furry hairs also determine the colour of the flower. The flowers can have different colours, ranging from almost black to yellow, orange and red. Some species are even dichromatic (as Anigozanthos manglesii). The tubular form of the flower bud resembles a kangaroo paw, hence its name. The flower tip spreads fanlike into six petals. Full-grown plants can have up to ten flowers at the end of each stalk.

This particular one growing in my garden will look like THIS when in full bloom.

More lovely when viewed LARGE.

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On the lighter note, thank you for the encouraging comments to yesty's blip. I am more inclined to take blips from my iPhone now.

I wish you all a restful Sunday!