Moist areas in open forests of south-western Australia. The Kangaroo Paws comprise a small group of 11 species in the genus Anigozanthos and a single species in the genus Macropidia . They are perennial herbs consisting of strap-like leaves arising from underground rhizomes.
Flowers occur in clusters on stalks which emerge from the bases of the leaves.
A number of species die back to the rhizome in summer, regenerating in autumn. All species are restricted in distribution to the southern areas of Western Australia. A.flavidus is the most widely cultivated member of the Kangaroo Paws as it has proven to be hardy in many climatic zones, even those with humid summers which often do not suit plants from the west. It is a vigorous plant with perennial leaves reaching 300-450mm in height and can spread to a large clump over 1 metre in diameter. The flowers occur on tall, branched stems which can reach 2 metres.