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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Haemodoraceae |
| Origin: Australia (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Black |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Macropidia fuliginosa (Black Kangaroo Paw) - This evergreen perennial forms clumps to 1 to 2 feet tall with sword-like gray-green foliage. In mid spring and lasting until mid summer emerge the 2 foot tall branched inflorescences with dark stems and dark blackish buds that flare open at tips like a paw to expose the lime green inner portion of the flowers. Plant in a sunny protected location in the garden or in a container (recommended) with very well-drained soil . Irrigate regularly (drip is best to avoid wetting foliage) and fertilize lightly in spring but avoid using fertilizers with (P) phosphorus. Hardy to about 25-30 ° F, but best if protected from frost as to not damage the foliage. Fans only flower once and need to be cleaned out after the flowering period so remove the old leaves down to as low as possible at the end of a season. Macropidia is a monotypic genus from Western Australia. It is very prone to ink spot disease, which also devastates some Anigozanthos species, so it is difficult to maintain for long in the garden. Its unusual flower color makes it worthwhile for as long as one can have it. Attracts hummingbirds to the garden. We thank Jo O'Connell for getting us our plants from an Australian tissue culture lab.
The information about Macropidia fuliginosa displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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