Widespread in open forests of south-western Australia. The other two subspecies are not considered to be at risk in the wild. 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.humilis is the most common of the Kangaroo Paws and is particularly evident following bushfires. Subspecies status yet to be formally recognised. A.humilis is widely cultivated and can be grown successfully even in areas with humid summers which often cause plants from the west to fail.