Red kangaroo paw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red kangaroo paw |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Anigozanthos
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| Species: |
rufus
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Have you ever seen a plant that looks like a kangaroo's paw? The Red Kangaroo Paw (also known as Crimson Kangaroo Paw or Backdraft) is a unique plant. Its scientific name is Anigozanthos rufus. This plant is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It grows naturally along the southern coasts of Western Australia.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Red Kangaroo Paw can grow to be quite tall. It reaches a height of about 0.2 to 1 meter (which is about 8 inches to 3 feet).
Leaves and Flowers
This plant stays green all year round. It has flat, long leaves that look like grass. These leaves are green and grey and can be 17 to 28 centimeters (about 7 to 11 inches) long.
The plant produces beautiful, colorful flowers. They can be red, purple, or yellow. You can see these flowers in spring and early summer, usually from August to January. The flowers are shaped like tubes and feel soft, almost like velvet. They grow in thick bunches at the top of the plant's stems.
Where Does It Grow?
The Red Kangaroo Paw lives along the southern coast of Western Australia. You can often find it in places that get wet during certain times of the year. It likes to grow in sandy soil. Its natural home stretches from around Albany in the west to Cape Arid in the east.
How to Grow Red Kangaroo Paw
You can buy Red Kangaroo Paw plants in pots or as seeds. They are great for small gardens or as a border plant along a path. They also make good pot plants. If you live in a colder area, you might need to bring your potted plant inside during winter.
Plant Care Tips
Once the plant is settled, it does not need a lot of water. It can handle dry periods well. It grows best in full sun but can also grow in shady spots. It can even handle a little bit of frost.
It is important to make sure there is enough air moving around the base of the plant. This helps prevent a problem called Ink disease. This disease can make the plant's leaves turn black. If your plant grows into a big clump, you can divide it into smaller pieces in the summer. This helps the plant stay healthy and grow new plants.
