Kangaroo paw
A plant with flowers that resemble small paws.
Kangaroo paw has colorful and spectacular flowers. Their shape and furry hair call to mind a small paw, and since the plant comes from Australia, the name kangaroo paw was a natural choice.
The flowers attract birds who come to drink nectar. When the bird puts its beak into the flower, pollen is placed on its head. The bird then carries the pollen to the next flower.
The flowers of the different species of kangaroo paws, however, all have a slightly different shape, and therefore each species deposits its pollen on a very specific spot on the birds' heads. In this way, many species can be pollinated by the same birds without cross breeding.
Facts:
- Greenhouse location: Not on display at the moment
- Danish name: Kængurupote
- Latin name: Anigozanthos
- Family: Bloodwort family / Haemodoraceae
- Natural habitat: Southwestern Australia