Definition

Noun: 1. A spring-flowering herb with clustered flowers covered in woolly hairs, native to Australia: This refers to a specific type of flowering plant belonging to the genus Anigozanthos, characterized by its unique, tubular flowers that are often covered in fine hairs and resemble an animal's paw. It is an iconic wildflower of Western Australia.

Examples of Usage

• The vibrant red and green kangaroo paw is the floral emblem of Western Australia.
• In the botanical garden, we saw several species of kangaroo paw with flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
• The kangaroo paw gets its common name from the shape of its unopened flower buds.

Advanced Usage

• As a cultivated garden plant: The term is commonly used in horticulture to refer to cultivated varieties prized for their striking, long-lasting flowers and drought tolerance.
  • Kangaroo paws make excellent cut flowers for floral arrangements.

Variants and Related Words

• Kangaroo's paw: An alternative, less common spelling.
• Cat's paw: A common name for a different plant () within the same genus, highlighting the variation in common names based on the flower's perceived resemblance.
• Anigozanthos: The scientific genus name for kangaroo paw plants.

Synonyms

• Australian sword lily: Another common name for plants in the genus.
• Haemodoraceae plant: A more technical term, referring to its membership in the Haemodoraceae (bloodwort) family of flowering plants.

Noun

1. sedgelike spring-flowering herb having clustered flowers covered with woolly hairs; Australia