'Australian Plants' Vol.10 No.81 December 1979

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Registered for posting
as a periodical—Category B

December, 1979
Vol. 10, No. 81

75c¢C



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KANGAROO PAWS — Contents of This Issue

The plants known as ‘kangaroo paws” are unique in the world’s flora.
Typifying Australia in the same way as the kangaroo, the wattle trees and the
eucalyptus trees, these fascinating plants are even “classical” for the strangest
of the unusual flora of south-western Australia, where they grow naturally.

They are superb horticultural plants. What is more appealing in a garden
than the rich velvety red and green of the kangaroo paw known as Anigozanthos
manglesii, standing up erect to almost one metre high. Less widely known but
equally appeaing is the living gold of Anigozanthos pulcherrimus, the rich
deep red of Anigozanthos rufus or the unusual Anigozanthos preissii. Espe-
cially suited for use in rocksries is the ‘‘catspaw”, Anigozanthos humilis.

Why then do we not see the ‘‘kangaroo paws” grown more widely? They
are easy to propagate from seed and easy to grow. There are three main
reasons: (a) the snails love them, you must keep them surrounded by snail
bait — (b) the best ones, Anigozanthos manglesii especially, seem to give
of their best for only one year, possibly two, and hence should be regarded
as perennials. Unfortunately the nursery trade have not been astute enough
to market them as such, selling a number of small seedlings in punnets,
instead of individual plants and expecting their full pound of flesh as is more
reasonable for a long lasting shrub — (c) they suffer from an ink disease.

What then is the solution?

The Wildflower Nursery Trade

Some of the specialist wildflower nurseries are doing a magnificent job
in propagating only from the best forms of plants. Patronise those who are
doing this. There is still a long way to go. Where can you buy punnets of
seedlings especially of annuals or perennials?
The Wildflower Seed Trade

For plants such as Anigozanthos we need more careful seed selection.
Proper Care to Produce Good, Healthy, Vigorous Plants

The article by Jim Webb on page 220 is the result of careful obszrvation
and scientific study of growing conditions necessary for the vigorous healthy
cultivation of our Australian plants. He has produced vigorous healthy plants
that are disease and frost resistant. His work may mean a revolution in the
successful cultivation of many of our wildflowers.
Hybridisation of Anigozanthos Species

One species of kangaroo paw Anigozanthos flavidus, has proved espe-
cially hardy, long lived, and easy to grow. One logical step is to hybridise
this with more spectacular species as described from page 213.
The Selection of Good Forms

| feel that the major gain can be made by proper selection from good
forms of true species. Good forms of Anigozanthos flavidus are now being
marketed and there is still room for development. The variation in form of
the other species is considerable and careful selection is overdue.—Editor.

CONTENTS

Growing Kangaroo Paws and Related Plants
Interspecific Hybrids Of Anigozanthos flavidus
Notes On Propagation and Cultivation Of Kangaroo

. B. Dixon & S. Hopper 199
S. D. Hopper 211

T. J. Bronxton and P. M. Mims 218

S

Role Of Calcium In The Cultivation Of Australian Plants ... J. H. Webb 220
Developments In The Taxonomy Of The Kangaroo Paws 229
COVER PLATE: Angozanthos manglesii — Photography by G. Chapman

AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—No. 81 Issue of Volume 10, comprising issues 77-84.
International Series Index ISSN 0005-CO08. A National publication in 16600 copies.
Published by The Society for Growing Australian Plants. For details see last page.
Available to members or by :subscription of $3.00, including postage to your address.
Send to the Editor, 860 Henry Lawson Drive, Picnic Point, N.S.W., 2213.
Publication date of previous issue, No. 78, was 8th June, 1979, No. 79 was 24th
August, 1979, No. 80 was 4th September, 1979.

Page 198—Vol. 10



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Growing

Kangaroo Paws

and Related Species

By BOB DIXON* and STEPHEN HOPPER¥Y

* King’s Park and Botanic Garden, West Perth, W.A. 6005
t Western Australian Wildlife Research Centre, Wanneroo, W.A.

Introduction

The kangaroo paws and their relatives belong in the Haemodoraceae, a
family of approximately 13 genera and 90 species of perennial herbs occur-
ring in Australia, Malaysia, South Africa and the Americas. The family is
best developed in Australia, where seven genera and approximately 70
species are known, most being confined to the South West Botanical Province
of Western Australia. The flowers for each genus are as follows:

2@ 2(b)

anther

anthers
/.

anther

6(a) 7(a) ovary 7(b)

THE PLANT FAMILY HAEMODORACEAE — Flower Details. Sketch by Greg Keighery.

Fig. 1. Anigozanthos humilis flower from top (a), side (c), and bisected (b) to show
style en ovary with anthers.

. Haemodorum brevisepalum flower from side (a), top (c), and bisected (b) to
show anthers beside style.

. Blancoa canescens flower from side (a), top (c), and bisected to show anthers
at end of floral tube.

. Macropidia fuliginosa flower from side (a), top (c), and bisected (b) to show
style from ovary and anthers.

Fig. 2
3
4
Fig. 5. Tribomanthes austialis flower from side (a), top (c), and bisected (b) to show
6
7

Fig.

Fig.

style and anthers.

. Phlebocarya ciliata flower from side (a), and bisected (b) to show style on ovary
and anthers.

. Conostylis aculeata flower from side (a), and bisected (b) to show style on
ovary and anthers.

Fig.
Fig.

Fage 199—Vec!. 10



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Anigozanthos rufus (left) A. rufus x A. flavidus hybrid (right)

The plant on the right is an Fi hybrid of A. rufus, the plant on the left, and A.
flavidus, a much hardier and more vigorous plant. Both plants are two years old and
were grown in free-draining sandy soil with no artificial fertilizers. The tybrid has in-
herited foliage characteristics and the vigour of A. flavidus, resulting in a much larger
plant than A. rufus. Flowers of the hybrid are similar in colour and shape to those of
A. rufus. On page 211, the article “‘interspecific Hybrids of Anigozanthos flavidus®, by
Stephen Hopper describes his work in the development of horticultural hybrids of Anigo-
zanthos. Photography by S. D. Hopper

Two very distinct tribes are recognised among the Australian members
of the family. Genera in the tribe Haemodoreae. (Haemodorum, Phlebocarya)
are characterised by glabrous perianths with biseriate lobes divided to the
ovary, whereas genera in the tribe Conostylideae (Anigozanthos, Macropidia,
Conostylis, Blancoa, Tribonanthes) have tomentose perianths with uniseriate
lobes that merge into a perianth tube above the ovary (except Conostylis
breviscapa, where the lobes are divided to the ovary).

It is the members of the Conostylideae, and in particular the kangaroo
paws (Anigozanthos and Macropidia spp.), that are best known among wild-
flower enthusiasts and are most sought after as garden plants. The horti-
cultural attributes of other genera in the family are poorly known.

In the present article we summarise our experience and that of the staff
of King’s Park in growing the kangaroo paws and their relatives. Suggestions
are made regarding germination, propagation and other horticultural matters
for each of the Australian genera of Haemodoraceae.

Anigozanthos (Kangaroo Paws, Catspaw)

This genus is now known to contain 11 species, all restricted to the
South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. The species have
becomne world renowned for their spectacular colours and unusual floral

A Garden featuring Anigozanthos gabrielae (shown opposite)

This little known Kangaroo Paw is shown growing in the situation preferred by most
Anigozanthos species. The flower detail is shown in the photograph on page 229. Of
interest also are other plants in this garden. On the top right is a plant of the black
kangaroo paw Macropidia fuliginosa featured in our colour plate on page 204. The
small yeliow shrub beside A. gabrielae is Conostylis aculeata. Conostylis will be featured
in our next issue. Photography by C. J. Wilson

Page 200—Vol. 10



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structures, beautifully adapted for bird-pollination. The cultivation of each
species in the ganus is given on pags 209 but let us first consider propaga-
tion and cuitivation requirements generally common for all plants in the
family.

Anigozanthos gabrielae —ses description opposite



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General notes on propagation

Seeds should be harvested in summer when fruits have dried out and
commenced dehiscence. Seed germinates best if sown straight after harvest,
but ramains viable for several years. If no germination occurs in the first
year, leave seed pots exposed to the elements in full sun during the summer
and sezedlings should appear the following autumn.

Sezd sowing mixes need to be sandy. Only Anigozanthos flavidus, A.
bicolor and A. viridis do well in heavier soils. Successful mixtures we have
used include sphagnum moss peat: fine and (1:1), or grey sand: cladium
peat (8:1) or fine sand: coarse sand: loam: sheep manure and compost
(12:6:1:4). Cover seed with a thin layer of fine bluz metal gravel or coarse
sand. If seeds are sown immediately after harvest (i.e. in summer), leave
pots outside exposed to the sun and do not water until early-mid autumn.
Once watering has commenced, check the seed pots every second day to
make sure they don’t dry out.

Germination should occur 15-40 days after the first watering. Heat
pretreatment appears to boost germination in several species. Prior to
sowing, place seeds in vials of water in a constant temperature waterbath
at 55-60°C for one-two hours. The following table compares average
germination rates for each species when preheated in this manner or sown
directly without preheating.

% Germination

Not Preheateda Preheated
A. humilis 2 7
A. kalbarriensis 0 0
A. manglesii 11 26
A. viridis 4 15
A. bicolor 0 19
A. gabrielae 0 12
A. onycis 0 20
A. preissii 19 40
A. flavidus 91 28
A. pulcherrimus 3 3
A. rufus — 7

Seedlings are susceptible to damping off, which may be controlled by
spraying with a suitable fungicide. Alternatively, sow seed thinly, ventilate
pots freely, apply water at mid-day so that leaves dry off quickly, and
prick out seedlings when young (as early as one day old). Seedlings (and
adult plants) are also attacked by snails, rust disease and inkspot disease.
Snails can be controlled using snail pellets, a suitable spray, or by
removing snails by hand. Rust disease begins as small orange spots on
the leaves that increase in size and eventually can kill the plant. It can be
controlled by spraying with a thiram-based fungicide, or by methods used
in the control of inkspot disease (see below).

Seedlings should be potted on or can be planted in the garden when
they are 5-10 cm tall. Mulch the top of the pots and grow seedlings in full
sun.

The best time to plant seedlings kept in large pots is the first autumn
following sowing (i.e. when they are one year old). Ensure that freshly
planted seedlings are well watered until the winter rains (for Western
Australia) set in.

Several species, including Anigozanthos bicolor, A. flavidus, A. gabrielae,
A. preissii, A. pulcherrimus, A. rufus and A. viridis can bes propagated by
dividing their rhizomes in March to May, when new shoots are 2-3 cm high.
Split the rhizomes with a knife or spade, leaving two or three shoots per seg-
ment, and cut away all dead leaves, roots and rhizome segments. Pot segments
and grow in a little shade until the plants recover in 2-3 weeks. Thereafter
treat the new plants in the same manner as large seedlings.

Page 202—Vol. 10



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General notes on cultivation

Fertilizers (preferably slow release types) may be applied in moderation
to somz of the hardier species (e.g. Anigozanthos flavidus, A. viridis, A.
bicolor), but are not generally recommended. The longevity of all species
except A. flavidus appears to be reduced by summer watering, since most
have a summer dormant period in the wild.

To maintain adult plants, flowering stalks may be pruned down to the
level of the leaves after flowering is finished. -Old leaves should not be
pruned until autumn, when new growth commences.

Several species are short-lived (1-3 vyears) in cultivation, including
Anigozanthos humilis, A. kalbarriensis, A. manglesii, A. onycis and A.
gabrielae. The other species usually live a few years longer. A. flavidus
regularly attains an age of 10 or more years.

Ink Spot Disease

This dissase is recognised by small black spots first occurring on the
older leaves. These spots increase in size and join together, often causing
the death of the entire leaf. In exitreme cases the disease attacks the
rhizome and secondary infection occurs, leading to the death of the plant.

Four different fungi have been isolated and are responsible for the
disease, Dreschleri irisid being the most widespread, not Mystroporium
adustum as is claimed in some literature. The origin of this latter name
seems somewhat obscure.

The infection usually starts in late March or April, as the temperature
decrzases and humidity increases, producing ideal conditions for spore
germination. Infection is usually through tissue damaged by snails, rabbits,
beetle larvae, sand-laden wind, etc.

Spraying with fungicides appears to have very little effect on ink spot.
This is not surprising, as each of the four diseases responsible may require
a different fungicide to control them.

Some control of the disease is achieved by growing the plants in an
open position in full sun, which will dry off the leaves quickly. Removing
dead leaves from the plant and controlling surrounding weed growth helps
keep the leaves dry. Also, watering by trickle irrigation or other means,
so as not to wet the leaves, may be beneficial. Reducing summer watering
to the absolute minimum and allowing the plant its natural dormant period
often helps, since excessive use of water and fertilizer causes lush growth,
which is more susceptible to attack. Controlling other pests that damage
plants (e.g. snails) is also beneficial in retarding the spread of ink spot.

All kangaroo paws are susceptible to ink spot. Even A. flavidus, which
is the most resistant species, will contract a little of the disease, but it never
seems to be adversely affected by it. The most susceptible species are
A. humilis and A. kalbarriensis, followed by A. gabrielae and A. manglesii.
All the other species do bzcome infected, but are rarely killed by the
disease. This disease not only affects kangaroo paws. All other members
of the family Haemcdoraceae and some members of the Iridaceae are also
susceptible.

More specific notes on propagation and cultivation

The following report is the result of careful observation and research
on the cultivation of plants of this family at King’s Park, Perth, Western
Australia.

Macropidia fuliginosa The Black Kangaroo Paw

This striking species is known only from areas of heathland north of
Perth in Western Australia. Like the other kangaroo paws, its flowers are
adapted for pollination by birds. The rich black and green colouration of
the flowers, the long curved stamens projecting from the perianth tube,
and the branched inflorescence up to 1 m high make Macropidia an out-
standing showpiece in any native plant garden. However, it is the most
difficult kangaroo paw to germinate.

Page 203—Vol. 10

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. L. Photography by P. Featherstone
Macropidia fuliginosa the Black Kangaroo Paw

The curious flower is not actually black, the petals and stamens being green but
densely covered with black hairs. Readers might forgive the use of this old colour plate
but economics are such that expenditure will be made on a new plate when an exceptional
photograph becomes available. A plant is shown in the garden on page 201 but this is
not a vigorous plant and is past its best.

Macropidia is best propagated in the manner outlined for species of
Anigozanthos. A few extra points are worth mentioning here.

Very often the seed does not germinate the first year. Bake out in the
sun again during the next summer. The seed should germinate the following
April. Seed ramains viable for at least five years. Experiments with strati-
fication, scarification and the use of chemicals to remove inhibitors have
proved inconclusive. Very few viable seeds are found in the bush. A large
number of seeds can be obtained by hand pollination.

Pot on seedlings when 5 cm high into 20 cm plastic or polypots, using
a mix of 8 parts local grey sand and 1 part cladium peat. A slow releasing
fertilizer, such as 12 month osmocote, may also be added. Mulch the pots
with laterite. Place the pots in full sun and keep well watered during the
winter. Water three times a week during summer. Trickle or hand watering
is best, because they cut down the risk of ink disease. Plant out in final
positions (or keep in pots) in March/April.

Excessive watering and fertilizing causes lush growth, a large number
of aborted flowers and reduces the life span of the plant. You can reduce
ink disease by burning the tops of the infected plants in February. As yet,
in our experience, no fungicides have proved to be effective in controlling
the disease on Macropidia.

Page 204—Vol. 10



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Photography by R. G. Cooke

Blancoa canescens—Red Bugles (Above)

This is another species of a monotypic genus confined to woodlands
and heathlands from Perth northwards. It is distinguished from the closely
related Conostylis by having red tubular flowers borne in unilateral racemes
on a branching scape, A better photograph is in the Horticultural Guide
Series Set 5/3.

Blancoa appears to be bird pollinated, in contrast to most Conostylis
species which are pollinated by bees. See page 199 for flower details.

Cultivation

Grow in a free draining sandy soil in full sun or under very light high
overhead shade. Light shade is not recommended for most areas in the
Eastern States. The plants may be grown at the usual ground level, or in
raised beds, which aids drainage and brings the plants nearer to the eye.
Blancoa may also bz grown in pots for several years, but care must be
taken during the summer period. Pots are best plunged during summer to
keep in moisture and stop dehydration. The occasional light summer
watering may be necessary. Blancoa lasts for many years (12+4) in cultivation
if given the right conditions. Do not water plants during the summer once
they are established. Plants are very slow growing in cultivation and usually
flower when two years old.

Fertilizers are not recommended, but organics such as blood and bone,
or slow releasing inorganics, may be applied lightly.

Propagation from Seed

Good seed is hard to get, but when available it should be sown In the
autumn. Germination takes about five weeks and is sometimes erratic. Prick
out the seedlings when young into small pots containing a good, open, free-
draining sandy mix. The seedlings do not like overhead watering and are
prone to damping-off disease.

Cross pollination is essential for good seed production.

Page 205—Vol. 10



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Vegetative Division

The rhizomes can be divided. This is best done when the new shoots
are only 2 cm high. Duririg the late summer, burn-off the top of your plant
(the plant must have bzen dried off, no summer watering, or this method
will kill your plant). Dig up the plant when the shoots are 2 cm high and
divide the rhizecmes into pieces with 4-5 shoots. Pot on into a good open
compost or plant into your garden.

Cutting the foliage off the plant does not have the same resulis as
burning.

Pests and Diseases
Plants are prone to rotting if in poorly drained soil or if watered heavily
during the summer. Snails will eat the young new shoots.

Conostylis

Conostylis consists of approximately 35 species endemic in the South
West Botanical Province of Western Australia. Most species have yellow
bee-pollinated flowers in terminal inflorescences. A few species have a
creeping, proliferous habit, forming ground covers a metre or more in
diameter (e.g. C. prolifera, C. stylidioides), while most form caespitose clumps
with inflorescences in some cases up to 50 cm high (e.g. C. robusta). The
genus is common in sand heath and woodlands of the South West Botanical
Province, where rainfall ranges from 300-800 mm per annum, but some
species are also found in the high rainfall forests of the Darling Range
and Lower South West (e.g. C. aculeata, C. setosa, C. setigera, C. serrulata).

The taxonomy of the genus has had a troubled history, largely due to
an inadequate knowledge of the variability of some species on the part of
earlier (mostly European) botanists. The revision undertaken by Dr J. W.
Green (1960, Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol.
85, pp. 334-373), clarified many problems and provides the most com-
prehensive treatment of the genus to date. Yet much remains to be done
before a satisfactory taxonomic understanding of Conostylis is at hand.
Research by one of us (S.D.H.) indicates that several undescribed species
still exist, and a number of problems concerning the delimitation of intra-
specific taxa remain to be resolved. Some recent work on taxonomy and
natural hybridisation in the C. aculeata group was published in the Australian
Journal of Botany, Vol. 25, pp. 395-411 (1977) and in Nuytsia, Vol. 2, pp.
254-264 (1978). This work will be summarised in the next issue.

Cultivation

Grow in a free draining sandy soil in full sun, preferably amongst other
plants. A few species will grow in heavier free-draining soils or under light
broken shade.

Small tufted species make excelient pot plants, whilst the rapid spreading
types such as C. candicans and C. prolifera are ideal ground covers.

The trend towards using Conostylis species as rock garden subjects
would provide the ideal situation to overcome the drainage problem in many
parts of the Eastern States. It should be remembered that Conostylis species
do not tolerate severe frosts.

Although few species are in cultivation, those that are grow very well
in the home garden situation. The following species are recommended —
C. aculeata, C. prolifera, C. candicans and C. setosa (the latter prefers
light broken shade).

Although fertilizers are not generally recommended, organics (e.g. blood
and bone) or a slow releasing inorganic may be applied in moderation.

Once established in the open ground, summer watering should cease
or be kept to an absolute minimum to allow the plants their natural dormant
period. The pliotograph on page 201 shows a plant in flower.

Page 206—Vol. 10



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Pests and Diseases

The only pests and diseases we have recorded are snails, which attack
young sezdiings, and a type of ink disease which turns the foliage black
when excessive overhead watering is used.
Propagation from Seed

Sow the seed in autumn into a fres draining sandy mix. Germination
takes about 3-4 weeks. Prick out the seedlings when small and grow on in
pots for one year. Further information will be given in the next issue.

Plant out into the garden in the autumn, and make sure the plants
receive adequate water until the onsst of heavy winter rains.
Cuttings

Species which produce offshoots with stilt-like roots on the end of
long stolons can be easily propagated by treating each offshoot as a cutting.
Fairly mature plants with developing roots should be used, otherwise the
cuttings tend to rot. The plant may be up to three years old before it
produces good cutting material.
Vegetative Division

Several species can be divided. Burn off the top of plants in late summer.
When the new shoots are 2-3 cm high, divide the plants into pieces with
3-4 new shoots, then pot up and grow on.

Haemodorum (Blood Roots)

This genus consists of approximately 20 species distributed in wood-
lands and heathlands in mainland Australia, Tasmania and Malaysia. Most
species have spindly, erect flowering stems up to 1 m high and bearing
small black, red or green flowers in cymes, loose panicles or spikes.

Flower details are given on page 199 and further information can be
obtained from the caption to the colour plate on page 209.

Cultivation

Haemodorum species are rarely grown in cultivation in W.A. This may
be due to their relatively insignificant flowers.

Grow in a free-draining soil in full sun. These plants are best grown
in small clumps amongst shrubs. To add beauty to your garden leave the
old flower spike on. The spikes are often used in dry floral arrangements.
Propagation

Haemodorums are easily grown from seed sown in the autumn. Seedlings
should be raised in pots for one year. Use a sandy, well-drained soil mixture.
Fertilizers are not recommended, but a light application of slow-releasing
types may be used if desired.

When the plants are established do not water during the summer
dormant period. Bulbs may be lifted and transplanted at the end of the
dormant season when first winter rains begin. Plants take two years to flower
from seed.

Phlebocarya

This is a genus of three species, all caespitose herbs and all confined
to the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. Each species
has small inconspicuous flowers arranged as shown on page 199, in loose
cymes.
. Unfortunately, we have no data on the propagation or growing con-
ditions required by Phlebocarya species, as we have been unable to procure
good viable seed despite several attempts to do so.

The sedge-like foliage of P. ciliata, and the attractive tomentose, grey
leaves of P. pilosissima, make these species worthy of future horticultural
investigation.

Tribonanthes

This is a genus of five currently recognised species, all endemic In
the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. All species have
bulbs and grow in winter-wet swamps or in high run-off areas on the edge
of granite rocks. They have white tomentose flowers which are solitary or

Page 207—Vol. 10



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Tribonanthes uniflora Photography by R. Paynter

The flowers of this group of plants differ from others in the family as shown on
page 199. The genus is characterised by having each stamen attached as shown on
page 199, ending in two yellow, erect, flat appendages above the anthers. The few flowers
are always white and appear flannel-like as shown above, because of the dense covering
of woolly hairs. The genus differs from other Haemodoraceae in having bulbs rather
than rhizomes.

few in number borne on small cymose stems usually 5-30 cm high. While two
species (T. brachypetala and T. longipetala) are well defined and easily
recognisable, the remaining three (T. uniflora, T. australis and T. variabilis)
are often difficult to distinguish. Further taxonomic work appears necessary
to clarify their relationships.

Cultivation

These attractive plants are not widely grown in W.A. This may be due
to the short flowering season and to not having the right growing conditions
in many areas.

Grow in a soil which is winter-wet but dries out during the summer
(e.g, beside a soak or in a low-lying area). Plants grown in Kings Park are
many years old but never flower. This may be due to the sandy soil, which
is not winter-wet or waterlogged. These plants probably could be grown
in pots given the right conditions, namely wet during winter and dry in
summer. The pots would be best plunged in sand or soil to stop the bulbs
dehydrating.

These plants suffer from a disease resembling the ink spot pathogens of
kangaroo paws.

Page 208—Vol. 10



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Haemodorum corymbosum Blood Root Lily Photography by M. Hodge

This plant grows in the Townsville area of Queensland and could be mistaken
from a distance as Anigozanthos rufus or a red form of A. flavidus. A report from Towns-
ville reads as follows:

“During the wet summer months, this small lily like plant is common on the out-
skirts of Townsville where it reaches a height of 1 m. The brick red flowers, held erect on
long straight stalks, make this one of the showiest of our local natives. Although it is
not yet widely used as a garden plant this small plant should become very popular as
more people become aware of it. To provide an effective display it needs to be grown in
clumps.

The plant grows easily, if rather slowly, from seed which should be collected at
the end of summer. This is the closest east coast relative of the famous Kangaroo Paws
from Western Australia. The flowering is improved by encouraging the natural dormancy
period in late Winter.’

A report on Western Australian species of Haemodorum is not encouraging:

All the Haemodorum species from the south west of Western Australia have black
flowers that are not especially attractive. However one report mentions red-flowered
species from the Kimberley area and more information on these plants is required.

The floral structure of Haemodorum is given on page 199 and the yellow anthers
thrusting out of the floral envelope or perianth may be seen in the colour plate above.

Anigozanthos —The Cultivation of Kangaroo Paws

The following section provides horticultural details for each Anigozanthos
species. A report on all the species and dascriptions of new species is con-
tained in an article on page 229.

Anigozanthos bicolor

Grow in a fres draining soil in full sun. Although this plant grows
naturally in winter wet areas, if too wet in cultivation the rhizomes tend
to rot. This species has been in cultivation for many years, but people
prefer to grow A. manglesii, which is similar but has larger stems and
larger flowers. See page 236 for a colour plate.

Flower colour does not vary very much, usually being light to dark
green with a red base. Yellow and light pink varieties have also been
observed.

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Anigozanthos flavidus

Grow in a free draining soil in full sun or under light broken shade.
This is the toughest of all the kangarco paws being able to take copious
amounts of water during the summer. Plants are long-lived in cultivation
and are popular because of the evergreen foliage. Although this plant is
usually grown amongst shrubs in borders or in a native garden, it is now
very popular in courtyard gardens. The flower colour varies from greenish
yellow to yellow, pink, red and orange. See reference on pags 200.

Anigozanthos gabrielae

Grow in full sun in a free draining sandy soil. This is an excellent
pot plant or rockzsry plant, which is very floriferous in cultivation, producing
many blooms on a very ccmpact plant. This species is usually grown as a
biennial, as it tends to be short-lived in cultivation.

The flower colour does not vary very much, being a light to medium
green with a red base. See colour plate on page 229.

Anigozanthos humilis

Grow in a free draining sandy soil in full sun. Unfortunately, this species
does not grow very well in cultivation and generally cnly lasts for one or two
years. One population north of Perth produces true-breeding golden yellow
flowers, which form 2-4 flower-heads on each flower stem. The height of
these flowering stems can be up to 60 cm. The plants from this population
also live up to six years in cultivation. Flower colour varies from the usual
yellow suffused with red to yellow, orange and pink. Most of the plants
produce single stemmed flowers, but some populations produce a large
quantity of branching stems. Colour plate on page 236.

Anigozanthos kalbarriensis

Grow in full sun in a free draining sandy soil. This species has proved
to be very difficult to grow in cultivation. Seed is very difficult to germinate,
although little seed has been available. The seed may require a treatment
to break dormancy, or it may be that the timing of seed collection is an
important factor. See colour plate on page 233.

Flower colour is quite variable, being yellow suffused with red, pale
green or golden yellow, always with a red base.

Anigozanthos manglesii

Grow in a free drzining soil, The plants are best raised in an open area
in full sun, although in the west they can be grown amongst trees with a
light broken shade. This is one of the easiest species to germinate and is
often grown as a biennial. Within 18 months it is possible to produce a
plant with as many as 50 blooms, but usually only 10-15 are produced. In
cultivation the plants are short-livad, especially when watered during the
summer. Colour plate on cover of this issue, page 197 and page 236.

Flower colour is normally light to dark green with a red base. Other
colours include entirely orange, green with an orange base, bright yellow
with a rad base and metallic blue with a red base. An all white form has
also been recorded. See colour variation on page 244.

Anigozanthos conycis
Grow in a free draining soil in full sun. This is one of the most
floriferous species in cultivation. When in full flower it is difficult to see
the foliage. As well as being a gocd rockery plant, it also grows well in pots.
The flower has a large perianth tube for the size of plant. Flower colour
varies little, being a raddish orange. Colour plate on pzge 232.

Anigozanthos preissii

Grow in a free draining sandy soil in full sun. The plant may also be
grown under light broken shade in Western Australia. If the shade is too
heavy the plants will not flower. Although this species has the largest flower
of all the kangaroo paws, they are carried on the top of long stems and
are therefore best grown amongst other plants to break up the openness

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ot the stems. In cultivation the plants have been known to survive for at
least 12 years. Colour plate on page 109 of Volume 2.

Flower colour varies little, being a light orange.

Anigozanthos pulcherrimus
Grow in a free draining soil in full sun. This is a vary good summer
flowering plant which is extensively used as a cut flower, both fresh and
dried. The flowers appear from late November to February. Flowering depends
a lot on the weather. During a heatwave the flowers are often badly burnt.
Flower colour varies from the usual golden yellow or apricot to yellow
with a reddish colourzsd flowering stem as on page 109 of Volume 2.

Anigozanthos rufus
Grow in a free draining sandy soil in full sun. An exceptionally good
plant for cultivation. The flowers contrast well when grown with A. pul-
cherrimus. The cut flowers are used extensively either fresh or dried.
Flower colour varies little from the usual red, although pure yellow
forms have been recorded. See colour plate on page 200.

Anigozanthos viridis

Grow in a free draining soil in full sun. Although this plant grows in
winter-wet areas, it grows excep‘ionally well in sandy soils. This species
has been in cultivation for many years and is a good garden plant which is
best grown amongst small shrubs as long as the plant is in a fairly
opan position.

The flower colour varies from light green to dark green. Yellow and
pink forms have been recorded.

This concludes a general introduction to the family Haemodoraceae
and general information on the cultivation of these planis, One of the
authors, S. D. Hopper will now report on expsriments in hybridisation of
species to produce plants of horticultural value. On page 223 he also reviews
developments in the taxonomy (bctanical naming) of Anigozanthos and des-
cribes new species only recently formally named. [

Hybridizing Anigozanthos
By STEPHEN D. HOPPER
Western Australian Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 51, Wanneroco, W.A. 6065

Introduction

The genus Anigozanthos consists of 11 species of perennial herbs,
commonly known as kangaroo paws, which are endemic in south-western
Australia. All species appear to be bird-pollinated and produce richly
pigmsnted flowers on stems which range in height from 10-20 cm in
A. gabrielae to in excess of 3 m in A. flavidus.

Because of their unusual floral structure and striking colouration, the
kangaroo paws have attracted considerable horticultural interest (Beard,
1963; Grieve and Marchant, 1963; Newby, 1970; Oliver, 1971, 1972; Lullfitz,
1978). Altempts to bring the species into cultivation have met with varied
success. Only A. flavidus has proved to be easy to germinate and grow
vigorously in cultivation. Most of the other species are more difficult to
garminate and most are relatively short-lived in cultivation, being susceptible
to snail attack and a fungal disease known as inkspot. For example, |
planted 10 seedlings of A. flavidus, 10 of A. manglesii and 15 of A. humilis
in my garden early in 1977. Two years later the 10 A. flavidus were alive
and thriving, whereas all the A. humilis and 9 of the 10 A. manglesii had
succumbed within 12 months of planting.

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@@@ 16 @@@



Anigozanthos preissii x A. flavidus F. Hybrid

FET

N\~
"""W‘W ;’

& w i .l‘ ™

Anigozanthos onycis x A. flavidus F. Hybrid
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@@@ 17 @@@



Although A. flavidus has attractive lemon-yellow flowers, and red, pink
and orangs individuals occasionally may be found, its colours are no match
for the vivid hues of the other species of Anigozanthos. Accordingly, interest
has been shown in the hybridisation of A. flavidus with other species in
the hope that hybrids may be producsd which combine the good gzrmination
rate, the vigorous foliage and the resistance to snail and fungal attack of
A. flavidus with the rich floral colouration of its attractive relatives. Oliver
(1971, 1972) has reported some successes along this line, but indicated
that more work was required to realise the full horticultural potential of
these interspecific hybrids.

In the course of studies on the evolution, ecology and natural
hybridisation of kangaroo paws (Hopper, 1978), | conducted an extensive
interspecific crossing programme and successfully raised to flowering 39
different kinds of interspecific hybrids. Those which had A. flavidus as one
of their parents have proved to be the longest-lived and the most suitable
as garden plants. This article aims to compare and contrast the 10
different interspecific hybrids of A. flavidus in terms of their ease of synthesis,
germination, pollen fertility and performance in a Perth garden situation.

Synthesis, Germination and Pollen Fertility of the Hybrids

Interspecific hybridisation was undertaken in spring by hand pollination
in an enclosed glasshouse. An enclosed area was required to prevent con-
tamination of controlled crosses by honeyeaters. A. flavidus was found to
set abundant seed on self-pollination, while all other species set very few.
Consequently, to avoid contamination of crosses by self-pollination, A. flavidus
was always used as the pollen parent in controlled pollinations. Pollinated
flowers were immediately labelled with watchmakers’ tags, and fruits were
harvested some 3-5 months later when signs of dehiscence were first
evident. Individual fruits were dissected and the number of plump mature
seeds counted.

Seed set was found to vary considerably between different Anigozanthos
species on hybridisation with A. flavidus (Table 1). On average A. bicolor
set the highest number of seed per fruit (44). A. viridis, A. gabrielae, A.
onycis and A. kalbarriensis each set between 10 and 20 seeds per fruit,
while the remaining six species all averaged less than 10. A. rufus and
A. pulcherrimus set the lowest number of seeds recorded in the study,
averaging 1.6 and 1.5 respectively. All species set significantly fewer seeds
on hybridisation with A. flavidus than they do on crossing with conspecific
individuals.

To test for germination the first autumn after fruit harvest, seeds were
przheated for two hours in a waterbath at 55-60°C and immediately sown

Anigozanthos preissii x A. flavidus—F. Hybrid (top left)

One of the most attractive hybrids so far produced. It is a narrow-leaved plant with
erect flowering stems up to 1.5 metres high bearing double-headed clusters of large
orange flowers. The plants have the highest pollen fertility of any of the inter specific
hybrids of A. flavidus and therefore have potential for the plant breeder. The difficulty
in illustrating this work adequately is shown here where an attempt to show flower detail
and colour has failed to present the full impact of the plants.—Photography and com-
ments by S. D. Hopper.

Photography by S. D. Hopper

Anigozanthos onycis x A. flavidus—F. Hybrid (bottom left)

This is a compact plant with stems 50-80 cm high and large orange flowers. It is
one of the few hybrids that is not completely pollen sterile, and therefore has potential
for the plant breeder to develop horticulturally desirable lines. A. onycis is a species
cnly recently described and is found in disturbed habitats of the Stirling Range—Bremer
Bay area. The flowers are up to 5 cm long growing on stems 15-30 cm high. The hybrid
plant pictured has the character and colour of the A. onycis parent but is increased in
size and hopefully in vigour and headiness by the A. flavidus parent.

Anigozanthos manglesii x A. humilis (see page 236)
Anigozanthos rufus x A. flavidus—FI Hybrid

Refer to page 200 for the colour plate of this hybrid shown growing next to one
of its parents A. rufus. These photographs will give some indication of what is being
achieved by hybridization trials.

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@@@ 18 @@@



in a soil mixture of 12 parts fine sand, 6 parts coarse sand, 1 part loam and
4 parts sheep manure/compost. Seed pots were maintained in a glasshouse
under a daily watering regime, and the number of scsedlings scored 80-100
days after sowing.
Table 1
Average number of seed set/fruit, average percent seed germina-
tion and averags parcent pollen fertility of F. hybrids in Anigo-
zanthos following controlled interspecific pollination with A. flavidus.
Sample sizes of fruits, seeds and hybrids are given in parentheses
after their respective averages. Data are from Hopper (1978).

F: hybrid
Anigozanthos No. seed pollen
Species crossed set/fruit Germination fertility
onycis x flavidus 13.8 (36) 12% (368) 22.1% ( 9)
preissii x flavidus 9.3 (29) 7% (200) 42.5% ( 3)
rufus x flavidus 1.6 (30) 29% ( 49) 2.9% ( 3)
pulcherrimus x flavidus 1.5 (12) 0% ( 18) —
manglesii x flavidus 6.5 (16) 39% (100) 0.1% ( 8)
viridis x flavidus 17.3 (36) 27% (400) 0.0% ( 3)
bicolor x flavidus 43.9 (36) 61% (500) 1.8% ( 6)
gabrielae x flavidus 154 ( 5) 52% ( 77) 1.6% (9)
humilis x flavidus 8.3 (30) 0% (100) 0.8% ( 2)
kalbarriensis x flavidus 12.0 (15) 61% (100) 0.9% (16)

Germination rates were found to be variable between pots for the one
cross and variable between different crosses. As shown in Table 1, on average
50-60% of seeds of A. bicolor x flavidus, A. gabrielae x flavidus and A.
kalbarriensis x flavidus germinated. No germination was recorded for A.
humilis x flavidus and A. pulcherrimus X flavidus, but only a small number
of seeds were available for testing in these cases, and other workers have
successfully germinated these hybrids (K. Oliver and R. Dixon pers. comm.).
The remaining A. flavidus hybrids showed 7-39% average ssed germination.
The A. bicolor x flavidus, A. gabrielae x flavidus, A. kalbarriensis x flavidus
and A. rufus x flavidus hybrid seeds showed a large improvement in ger-
mination in comparison to their maternal parents, while the remaining hybrids
germinated at a comparable or lower level to that recorded for their maternal
parents (Hopper, 1978).

To estimate pollen fertilities, seedlings were repotted 3-4 months after
sowing and grown to reproductive maturity in the glasshouse or experimental
garden under a similar soil and climatic regime to that used during the
germination trials. While a small proportion of hybrids flowered within nine
months of sowing (i.e. before summer), the majority required 18 months to
reach maturity.

Buds were collected from each hybrid just before anthesis. A fresh
anther was removed from each bud and dissected in a drop of aceto-carmine
on a microscope slide. After positioning an 18 mm2 coverslip, the slide was
scanned along edge to edge transects at 400 x magnification until 100-800
pollen grains had been scored as being normal in shape with pink-stained
cytoplasm (assumed to be fertile), or shrivelled and devoid of cytoplasm
(assumed to be sterile).

All hybrids showed substantial reductions in pollen fertility relative to
the 90% - fertile grains normally encountered in the parental species
(Table 1). Hybrids of A. preissii x flavidus and A. onycis x flavidus were
the most fertile, averaging 42.5% and 22.1% good pollen respectively. All
other hybrids averaged less than 3% fertile pollen, and some appeared to
be completely sterile (e.g. A. viridis x flavidus). These figures suggest that
propagation of hybrids through seed production would only be likely with
hybrids of A. preissii x flavidus and A. onycis x flavidus.

Page 214—Vol. 10



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Horticultural Characteristics of the Hybrids

To assess the performance of the various hybrids in a garden situation,
seedlings were planted in sandy well-drained soil in my home garden at
East Victoria Park in May, 1977. Cver the subsequent two years observations
werc made on 37 hybrids, including four A. gabrielae x flavidus, seven
A. kalbarriensis x flavidus, eight A. manglesii x flavidus, two A. viridis X
flavidus, four A. bicolor x flavidus, five A. onycis x flavidus, three A. preissii
x flavidus and four A. rufus x flavidus. These plants were not fertilised or
protected from snail attack. Water was applied every second day over
summer.

It was found that the colour and vigour of the foliage of A. flavidus
was dominantly inherited in all hybrids. Accordingly most plants were far
less susceptible to snail and fungal attack than their maternal parents
(Table 2). A. rufus x flavidus hybrids were particularly resistant in this
regard. Considerable variation in resistance was noted between hybrids of
the same cross. For example, of two adjacent plants of A. manglesii x flavidus
observed at the end of the 1978 winter, one had lost 75% of its foliage to
snails and inkspot disease, while the other had lost 10% of its foliage.
Similar striking differences were recorded between plants of A. bicolor x
flavidus, A. gabrielae x flavidus and A. kalbarriensis x flavidus. This variation
in resistance would appear to be inherited, since adjacent plants grown
under identical conditions often differed considerably. Hence there would
appear to be some scope for selective plant breeding in any large-scale
work on the propagation of these hybrids.

Table 2
Estimated percentage of foliage of various A. flavidus hybrids that
had succumbed to snail attack and inkspot disease at East Victoria
Park during the winter of 1978.

Hybrid Snail attack Inkspot
onycis x flavidus 0-5% 1-5%
preissii x flavidus 0-5% 5%

rufus x flavidus 1-5% 1%

manglesii x flavidus 1-75% 1-75%
viridis x flavidus 0% 5-10%
bicolor x flavidus 1-50% 5-30%
gabrielae x flavidus 0-10% 10-75%
kalbarriensis x flavidus 10-50% 10-90%

Because of their vigorous vegetative growth, most hybrids developed
into bigger plants than their maternal parent species. Table 3 gives maximum
foliage cover, leaf length, leaf width and stem height recorded on two-year-old
hybrids in my garden. A. rufus x flavidus were the largest hybrids and
produced the tallest stems (up to 1.6 m high), while A. kalbarriensis x
tlavidus formed the smallest clumps and usually had stems only 20-30 cm
high. None of the hybrids attained the height and size of A. flavidus itself.

A range of plant forms were found among the various hybrids. Some
had largs broad-leaved clumps producing a mass of branched flowering
stems as broad as they were high (A. rufus x flavidus, A. manglesii x flavidus).
Others produced long but slender leaves, and flowering stems that were
much taller than they were broad (A. preissii x flavidus, A. viridis x flavidus).
At the other end of the spectrum were small compact plants with short broad
leaves and short but densely flowered stems (A. kalbarriensis x flavidus).

In 1978, A. gabrielae x flavidus hybrids were the first to flower, some
producing stems early in July. Most other hybrids did not commence
flowering until late September. A. preissii x flavidus flowers were the last

Page 215—Vol. 10



@@@ 20 @@@



to appear, with blooms finally opening in November. Although most hybrids
finished flowering by the end of January, flowers of A. rufus x flavidus
continued to open until the end of February. Thus the garden had spectacular
displays of hybrid flowers for eight months of the year. Individual plants,
particularly of A. rufus x flavidus and A. gabrielae x flavidus, produced new
flowers for up to five months.

Estimates of the total number of flowers appearing on the various hybrids
are given in Table 4, tog=zther with average numbers of stems per plant,
inflorescences per stem and flowers per inflorescence. Data obtained from
five A. flavidus, two A. pulcherrimus and one A. rufus in the same garden
are also given.

Table 3

Maximum diameter of foliage cover, maximum leaf length and width,
and maximum flowering stem height of two-year-old A. flavidus
hybrids at East Victoria Park.

Foliage

Hybrid of cover Leaf Leaf Stem
Anigozanthos diameter length width height
species (cm) (cm) (mm) (cm)
onycis x flavidus 45-55 24-26 9-10 50-80
preissii x flavidus 50-70 26-47 6-8 90-100
rufus x flavidus 75-120 36-60 11-14 140-160
manglesii x flavidus 70-75 40-45 12-13 80-140
viridis x flavidus — — — 80-90
bicolor x flavidus 40 18 10 70
gabrielae x flavidus 25-50 11-19 10-11 50-70
kalbarriznsis x flavidus 30-40 13-20 5-9 20-50

Table 4

Averagzs number of flowers per inflorescence, inflorescences per
stem, stems per plant and estimated average total flower number
per plant recorded on A. flavidus hybrids, A. flavidus, A. pulcherrimus
and A. rufus at East Victoria Park at the end of 1978 flowering

season.
Flowers Inflorescences Stems Flowers
per per per per
Plants inflorescence stem plant plant
onycis x flavidus 4 6.1 15.3 719
preissii x flavidus 7.0 5.1 9.0 321
rufus x flavidus 13.7 11.8 47.0 7,598
manglesii x flavidus 12.1 5.6 23.9 1,532
viridis x flavidus 5.7 4.5 11.5 295
bicolor x flavidus 8.0 5.3 22 933
gabrielae x flavidus 15.8 2.1 28.3 939
kalbarriensis x flavidus 6.4 2.9 59.4 1,103
A. flavidus 7.0 13.4 22.2 2,082
A. pulcherrimus 9.9 10.3 13.5 1,378
A. rufus 6.5 10.2 24 1,591

A. rufus x flavidus hybrids were outstanding in the number of flowers
produced, averaging 7,600, five times as many as pure A. rufus and almost
four times as many as pure A. flavidus. A. manglesii x flavidus hybrids were
a relatively poor second in flower production, averaging 1,500 per plant
(some 5C0 less than that recorded for pure A. flavidus). However, this
number greatly exceeds normal levels in wild populations of A. manglesii,

Page 216—Vol. 10



@@@ 21 @@@



where on average only 50 flowers per plant are produced (Hopper, 1977).
All other hybrids had less flowers than the number found on A. flavidus,
but all produced far more than the number typical for their maternal parent
species. For their small size, A. kalbarriensis x flavidus and A. gabrielae x
flavidus had very large numbers of flowers.

Floral colours were often variable for any one class of hybrid, particularly
in the case of A. kalbarriensis x flavidus and A. manglesii x flavidus (see
Oliver, 1971, for illustrations of colour variants of the latter). A. rufus x
flavidus plants were particularly handsome with their rich burgundy flowers.
A. preissii x flavidus plants had large attractive orange flowers, while
A. onycis x flavidus had an orange-pink hue. The flowers of A. viridis x
flavidus, A. bicolor x flavidus and A. gabrielae x flavidus were an unattractive
dull green, but better colours would probably be obtained if a prudent choice
of brightly hued parental plants was made.

Conclusion

Hybrid seed can be successfully obtained and germinated from flowers
of all Anigozanthos species on controlled pollination with A. flavidus. All
hybrids inherit the foliage characteristics of A. flavidus, including vigorous
growth, resistance to snail attack and resistance to fungal infection. How-
ever, these characteristics are inherited to varying degrees, and some
selection would be required for any large-scale propagation of the hybrids.

The various hybrids show a rangz of plant forms from small compact
tussocks to very large plants almost equal in size to A. flavidus itself. The
hybrids also show considerable variability in flower production and flower
colour. A. rufus x flavidus is outstanding in the number of flowers it produces.

Although most of the hybrids approach full pollen sterility, A. preissii x
flavidus and A. onycis x flavidus are sufficiently fertile to have some potential
for plant breeding through normal sexual reproduction. Propagation of lines
of most of the other hybrids can be carried out on a small scale through
vegetative division, but any large-scale ventures would do well to concentrate
on either the synthesis of fertile polyploids (Oliver, 1971) or else on tissue
culture (Anon., 1978).

References

Anonymous (1978). The use of tissue culture. Canberra Botanic Gardens. Growing
Native Plants. Vol. 8, pp. 184-185.

Beard, J. S. (1963). Growing the kangaroo paws. Aust. Plants 2 106, 129-136.

Grieve B. J. and N. Marchant (1963). The kangaroo paws of W.A. Aust. Plants 2,

5.
Hopper, S. D. (1977). The reproductive capacity of Anigozanthos manglesii D. Don,
A. humilis Lindl. and their hybrids in a wild population. Aust. J. Bot. 25, 423-428.
Hopper, S. D. (1978). ‘Speciation in the Kangaroo Paws of South-western Australia
(Anigozanthos and Macropidia: Haemodoraceae).” Ph.D. thesis, University of Western
Australia.
Lullfitz, G. (1978). ‘Grow the West's Best Native Plants’. Western Australian Newspapers,

erth.

Newbey, K. (1970). ‘Western Australian Plants for Horticulture.” Society for Growing
Australian Plants, Sydney.

Oliver, K. R. (1971). New kangaroo paws. Aust. Plants 6, 60-64.

Oliver, K. R. (1972). Kangaroo paws. Aust. Plants 6, 338-339. [}

Good Forms of True Species

There is no doubt that the work of competent scientists who are also horticultura-
lists, such as that of Stephen Hopper is valued and necessary. Those who have been
fortunate enough to see good forms of the true species will no doubt agree also with
the statement that development from the very best forms could produce exceptional
plants of unrivalled beauty. We need to select from the very best forms, have them
identified by some means, a cultivar name seems the best way, grow these, select from
the best progeny, grow from these, select from the best progeny, etc., etc., etc.

The other line of research is to plan, observe and record cultivation methods, grow-
ing medium, plant nutrition systems, root stock care and above all to communicate. For
these reasons | especially commend the work of the following writers, T. S. Broxton and
the late P. S. Mims for root stock care and cultivation, Jim Webb for what could
possibly be vital research and the writer in the Division Of Soils of the CSIRO together
with Dr. A. Smith of Australian Plants No. 73, page 209.

Page 217—Vol. 10



@@@ 22 @@@



Notes On Propagation and Cultivation of Kangaroo Paws
from T. J. Bronxton, Eltham, Victoria.

Kangaroo Paws, i.e. Anigozanthos species, as well as Macropidia, Pater-
sonia, Diplarrena and Calectasia, are propagated most readily by root
division. Seed of Anigozanthos is slow growing, slow to flower and, for
A. flavidus and its hybrids, the colour is not reliable.

| have successfully used my method of propagation by root division on
the Red and Green Kangaroo Paw, A. manglesii, A. flavidus, A. pulcherrimus
and A. rufus. The plants are generally lifted out of the soil with a spade, and
any adhering soil is shaken free. Then the rhizome is cut with a sharp knife
into two approximately equal pieces. Individual pieces for each new plant
are then cut off the rhizome with the knife, making sure that there is at
least two cubic inches of rhizome per plant. The attached fibrous roots are
then removed with seccateurs and the piece is cleaned with water. The
leaves are trimmed to about 8-10 cm. Any stumps remaining from old flowers
are removed as clos2 to the rhizome as possible. The raw ends exposed by
cutting are not specially treated.

The potting medium consisis of three parts of propagating sand plus one
part of a 1:1 mixture of Cranbourne loam and mountain soil. To the complete
mix is added 5-10% of peat moss or vermiculite, and a complete fertiliser,
rich in phosphate and potassium. This open well-drained mix is especially
important for A. pulcherrimus, A. rufus and for Macropidia sp.

Pots should be initially in partial sun, with some shads from the heat
of the day and shelter from drying winds.

Cultivation in Victoria

Unfortunately the natural soil in much of the Melbourne metropolitan
area is clay, and with the exception of A. flavidus and its hybrids most
Anigozanthos species will not survive in this type of soil. It seems to be
necessary to provide sandy, well-drained bads, preferably in open, sunny
areas. | have had success with A. manglesii, A. rufus, A. pulcherrimus and
A. flavidus in a sandy bed consisting of a 50/50 mixture of mountain soil
and coarse washed sand to a depth of 1 m. Macropidia fuliginosa has also
grown well in this bed for a number of years. A!l of these paws have flowered
well, and A. manglesii forms a vigorous clump after zbout two years provided
regular summer watering is maintained. A vigorcus clump of A. manglesii,
with about 30 flower spikes, is a spectacular sight indeed. Limited success
has also been achieved in a more shallow bed (30 cm) at the top of a slope.
A. rufus grows well under thesz conditions, but | have only had about a 50%
success rate with A. manglesii over a two-year period in this bed.

In my experience ink-spot disease is not a problem, because | treat my
plants with Bordeaux mixture at least twice a year, usually in the spring
and autumn. This means that plants scheduled to be divided the following
February-April have had a dose of Bordeaux the previous September.

Growing Kangaroo Paws in Melbourne
from the late P. B. Mims, Victoria.
Notes prepared and previously published in the hope that others will carry on.

| first concentrated on thz control of a black smut, often called ink
disease, and spent considereble time and money on fungicidal sprays, with
very disappointing results — possibly because the plants were promptly re-
infected by airbourne sporzs usually present in our climate.

Yeast. (refer Australian Plants, Vol. 4, Page 179). | have satisfied myself,
by comparing treated plants with untreated control plants, that this treatment
shows a definite improvement — unfortunately my lack of chemical know-
ledge prevents my understanding of just what occurs. What are the changes
that take place in yeast, sugar, starch, and alcohol, and what effect do these
have on the ecology of the fungi, bacteria, and insects, which cause our ink
disease trouble?

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Cultivation of Strong, Healthy Plants
Plants able to thrive under my local conditions szem to require:
(1) Drainage
| have read that in W.A. both A. viridis and A. bicolor will grow in

swamps. They will not with me -- perhaps due to our summer rain and our
garden hoses? Al species require good drainage here.
(2) Acidity

Each species probably has different acidity requirements, but even the
species most tolerant of soil conditions, A. flavidus, improves with an acid soil.
When a A. flavidus rhizome was transplanted from a neutral soil (pH 7) to
a pH 4 soil it next year showed much brighter flowers and much less ink on
the tips of the leaves.

(3) Protection from Insects

Every insect in my garden (both Aboriginal and New Australian) loves
to eat my kangaroo paws. | always actively encourage birds and discourage
cats but surface insects are now a very minor problem. It is the other insecta
which are my greatest problem. | have seldom dug up a dying kangaroo paw
plant without being able to find a cutworm, wireworm, or somesuch at the
roots — and the presence of nematodes (both foliar and root knot nematodes)
has been confirmed for me by the Victorian Agriculture Department at Burn-
ley. Just what is the control?

(4) Dormancy

Each species seems to have its own requirements, but an annual rest
period appears to be essential to the less hardy species, and does no harm
to the more robust species. This gives a respite from the attacks of bacteria,
fungi, and insects, and a holiday from the hazards of our summer rain and
our garden hoses. It also simplifies pest control. | am now lifting the rhizomes
(like European bulbs and rhizomes) as soon as the plants start to shrivel —
shake off the surplus soil — dust with soil insecticide (D.D.T. and Copper
Oxychloride) and store in a dry shed. When the season changes (usually
about Easter here) they are ready to divide and plant out.

Anigozanthos humilis seldom survive with me without lifting. A. bicolor
survival rate is greatly increased by lifting. A. viridis will often survive if left,
but is improved by a holiday. A. manglesii has a factor which | do not
understand. Most fail to survive after one season, but | have several plants
now six years old which have not been dried out, although replanted in
different positions each year. | understand that this species has the largest
range of any in W.A. | have no means of knowing from where seed comes —
possibly plants from different localities have different dormancy requirements?

Anigozanthos—Calcium Deficiencies?

From Jim Webb, author of the following article presenting vital orginal research
that could preface a new approach to the cultivation of Australia’s wildflowers.

Kangaroo Paws are one of the groups of plants that are responding to
applications of calcium in both increased growth, better appearance and
increased frost resistance on low calcium status soils.

With the increase in growth comes better flowering and longer flower
stems. The better appearance comes from the decrease in and eventual eli-
mination of the blackening and withering of leaf tips, which often appears to
be the symptoms of calcium deficiency rather than the more universally
blamed “Ink Disease”.

With frosting, the leaves are at first “browned” and these affected leaves
then become gradually blackened as the killed tissue dehydrates. Supplied
with adequate calcium the following species will survive to —4.0°C without
damage: Anigozanthos flavidus, A. manglesii, A. viridis.

In the same soil without calcium these species are often fatally frosted.
Observations and experiments have not been conducted with the other
Anigozanthos species.

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The Role of Calcium in the Cultivation of

Australian Plants
by J. H. WEBB

Introduction

In the early days Australian plant growing took place exclusively over-
seas, whilst here our efforts were directed towards establishing exotic plants.
Seed was sent from all over Australia — N.S.W., Tasmania, Western Australia
and Queensland, to be grown overseas in soil mixes in hot houses and at
that time, differing lime requirements were acknowledged.

The earliest recorded growers of Australian plants were the English
gardeners at Kew and similar establishments, and they freely advocated the
use or the deletion of chalk whichever they found necessary as in 1834 when
chalk was used in the growing of Anigozanthos manglesii in England. (1)

In contrast in Australia, even as far back as 1904, when J. H. Camfield
wrote in the Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. on the cultivation of natives, its
use was not discussed, (2) although at the time the use of lime featured
strongly in current horticultural practice.

More recently lime or other forms of calcium have not generally been
recommended for use with the cultivation of Australian plants. In fact its
use has been contra-indicated or the subject was not mentioned by recent
authors when discussing the growing of natives.

Almost a century passed after the early English growers before the
modern wildflower growing movement got under way in the 1930’s and the
pioneers of that period were primarily bush walkers and naturalists. In
N.S.W. for instance, members of the Sydney Bushwalking Club were very
active in the areas covered by the Hawesbury Sandstone Flora, and having
seen the plants flourishing in the native habitat were keen to grow them in
their own gardens. These gardens were often limed for exotic plants such
as roses, and they were soon able to spot the calciphobic nature of most
of the sandstone flora.

From groups such as this came our first expert growers and by word
of mouth and later in print they quite rightly advocated no lime for the local
plants then in cultivation. Post-war the number of species grown increased
beyond the local plants, and for the last decade or so has included many
Western Australian plants. The blanket ban on lime persisted however, indeed
it was not readily apparent that some of the new natives needed added
lime to survive, nor that the same amount of applied lime caused other
species to suffer badly from lime induced iron deficiency — causing severe
chlorosis and necrosis of growing points. This phenomena probably created
a larger number of apparent anomalies in the use of calcium.

Horticultural Usage

In June 1795, | first put forward the hypothesis of lack of calcium being
one of the major causes of failure of certain West Australian plants when
grown in the east. (3) (4) Since that time- 1 have conducted many more trials
and have received many reports that confirm the beneficial effects of added
calcium. There has also besen the odd expression of disbelief, and there
have been failures which may be attributable to interaction with phosphorus.

| have received information that even on the Perth Sand Plain extra
calcium is needed with some species for optimum growth. In some eastern
areas survival only has been achieved, and here other factors such as bad
drainage or aeration may be interacting. In Sydney at Castlecrag, flowering
has been achieved for the first time in that area by calcium additions to
Chamelaucium uncinatum. (5)

A further refinement in the cultivation of calcium responding species of
the family Proteaceae is to add an acid surface mulch, (preferably local
peat) to the lime enriched soil. This layering encourages the development
of proteoid roots in the peat layer. Growth is healthy and better than with
the straight lime treatment. Peat layering in the absence of calcium gives

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little response, both controls and peat treatment ending with the death of
the plants.

The safest method of applying calcium is in the use of slow release
materials, the quantities per plant can be as high as 10kg. and can be in
any of these forms, limestone gravel, shells (sea or egg), cement or calcined
bone. Ground carbonate of lime as used in agriculture can be used but care
needs to be taken with rates of application.

For example, rates of application of up to 80 tonnes per hectare or 63
grammes (2 heaped dessert spoons) per 10 cm pot, or 8 kg. per sq. metre
of agricultural lime can be applied to calcium responding plants, and they
will respond well to these levels at first but later growth will be dwarfed
with no other adverse symptoms. Such dwarfing effect may improve the
plants’ horticultural value as flowering is often not affected, and the plant
is visually more attractive. Many examples of this dwarfing phenomena | am
sure, exist in the field situation. One example is the Banksia grandis. On the
Perth Sand Plain it will become a tree 4-5m in height. The same species
grows as shrubs to 1 metre on southern coastal limestone.

A second example is where shallow top soil overlies limestone. Here
Pimelea ferruginea grows in dwarf form on road verges cleared of soil,
whereas the normal plants occur on adjacent undisturbed sites. A genetic
factor could be involved in the former but perhaps not in the latter.

There may be other factors involved, but | am sure that such marked
lime effects can be exploited, especially for container grown plants. When
| have substituted Magnesium Carbonate for Calcium Carbonate* (4) the
resulting pH levels were similar. In contrast substitution with Calcium Sul-
phate (gypsum) at equivalent calcium levels did not change pH, and growth
compared with controls was not as great as when the carbonate form was
used. Even twice the level of CaSO4 was still not as effective as the carbo-
nate. This indicated that the calcium response was probably related to pH
effect.

To separate calcium effects from pH effects completely is a difficult
task. | believe this would be possible using water culture experiments that
involve constant filtration adjustments of the medium, extending over many
months. This is now possible with availabe automated laboratory equipment
but as | do not have the resources, perhaps someone with these facilities
may like to follow this up. Results of a subsesquent experiment that | present
in this paper suggest that the calcium effect may be largely independent of
the pH effect. Garden practice however, is to use enough ground limestone*
to take the pH to neutral, and then add a large amount of slow release
calcium. This appears to be working satisfactorily.

Some of the group of Australian plants that respond to calcium and
which includes many West Australian species, die off whether treated with
applied calcium or not.

Which brings me to the question, what caused their death? Phytophthora

is the answer most often given.

Fluctuating water supply is another suspect. Frost or lower temperatures

is often blamed in some areas.

* Calcium is available in a number of forms suitable for garden usage; solubility
determines the degree of care that is needed to apply various forms. For example,
quick-lime Calcium Oxide is too caustic and soluble to be used at all as a soil
additive. The next form, slaked-lime Calcium Hydroxide, can be purchased as builders’
lime and can be used, but at low levels only. The normal application is agriculturai
lime, which is ground limestone (Calcium Carbonate). This normally contains a
number of different size grindings; the fine dust is more soluble than the coarser,
longer lasting particles when it is incorporated in the soil. The other sources are
cement (care needed with this one also unless it has set). Concrete, sea-shells, egg-
shells, limestone gravel, gypsum and dolomite — the latter containing Magnesium
Carbonate as well as Calcium Carbonate. All these other sources have varying
degrees of solubility, and as such can be considered as slow release forms and
which, depending on quantity applied, will not change the pH as suddenly as the
more soluble forms, and therefore the amount applied is not as critical.

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1. Phytophthora

Calcium in my experience, does not completely prevent dzath by Phytoph-
thora. However, increased vigour and root growth attributable to applied
calcium does act in reducing the effect of infestation, in comparison with
untreated plants. | doubt whether the existing tendency to claim that if
Phytophthora is isolated from, on or near the corpse, it was the cause of
death. As Phytophthora can be isolated from around healthy plants and
from soils almost everywhere, some species whether lime treated or not,
will succumb to the fungus usually in circumstances of poor drainage.

As a preliminary investigation, | am growing Hardenbergia violacea and
H. comptoniana in combination with susceptible W.A. Banksia species. Root
exudates from legumes are reputed to inhibit Phytophthora, but | have no
suggestion to offer as yet about mixed plantings and calcium application.

2. Fluctuating Water Supply

This could be the cause of death of some plants whether calcium
treated or not, although the effect could be difficult to establish. The problem
is compounded by the probable presence of Phytophthora. Certainly with
calcium enrichment there is a lower mortality in container grown plants
receiving regular watering than in open situations prone to water fluctuations.
Control plants without calcium die off equally whether in pots or in open
ground.

As calcium is largely immobilised within the plant any calcium dependent
growth effect will very likely depend on calcium uptake from the soil. If
calcium and water uptake are linked, water relationships, between the soil
and plant assume greater importance in calcium studies.

3. Frost Resistance

In contrast to the last two factors | have experimental results and
supporting field observations showing that a calcium responsive plant ex-
hibits increased resistance to frosts when supplied with adequate calcium.
The plant is Ficus rubiginosa the Port Jackson Fig.

This plant is naturally distributed in the coastal areas of Queensland
and New South Wales, extending into the tableland areas by way of coastal
valleys. | will refer only to the disjunct distribution in the Central and
Southern Tablelands, to illustrate my points.

It is generally accepted that Ficus forms part of the Indo-Malaysian
element of the Australian flora. Increasing cold would be a barrier to their
wider natural distribution both southwards and inland from the coast. Numbers
of plants decline when moving towards a more southerly latitude and also
decrease in numbers with increasing altitude. This decline in numbers is
not related to lack of available moisture because precipitation increases
south of their limit of distribution.

With Ficus rubiginosa the southernmost occurrence recorded is at Eden,
N.S.W., but | have been unable to locate the single tree involved. | fear that
like a lot of rare occurrences, mans’ unthinking activities hzve caused its
loss.

The occurrence in the coldest location is at Bendethera, inland in the
mountains from Moruya N.S.W., at about 600 m altitude and less than 10
kilometres from mountains of 1670 m. Here three known specimens are sur-
viving confined to a narrow limestone belt. It was from the largest of these
trees that the main experimental material was obtained.

The main conclusion from the experiment is that in the calcium sensitive
Ficus rubiginosa frost resistance a.d calcium levels are related. This explains
some aspects of the North-South distributions in Eastern Australia. | am
proposing that in all of the southernmost occurrences ot Ficus rubiginosa
its disjunct distribution is related to a high readily available level of calcium

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Fig. 1—Cystoliths or calcium deposits in a leaf of Ficus rubiginosa
Fig. 1(a), top left—A typical growth in a leaf cell magnified 100 times.
Fig. 1(b), top right—A cross section of a leaf without cystolith growths.
Fig. 1(c), bottom left—A cross section of a leaf with few cystolith growths.
Fig. 1(d), bottom right—A cross section of a leaf with a high cystolith count.

in the root zone, and that the absence of intervening occurrences are pro-
bably due to lower levels of calcium not protecting the plants from frosting.
In more northerly sites these same levels permit more widespread occurrences.
Below a certain level of calcium the plants cannot occur irrespective of the
warmer temperatures.

In all cases the cold tableland occurrences are on high calcium status
rocks and soils, such as basalt, and limestone. A typical analysis of southern
basalt soils gives a reading of 11% of calcium expressed as oxide. One
anomalous occurrence of Ficus rubiginosa appeared related to its distribution
in the Hawkesbury sandstone areas. Here, on the lcw calcium status sand-
stone soils, Ficus rubiginosa occurs in two sites;

1. in gullies with or without rainforest,
2. on or at the bottom of sandstone cliffs (lithophytic occurrences).

In gullies, otherwise low levels of alkaline components are concentrated
by the flow of water and accumulated in the organic layer. A Port Jackson
Fig, will accumulate calcium in its leaf litter. Present in the leaf are special
structures known as cystoliths. These deposits of calcium carbonate may
be observed in a simple unstained cross section of a leaf at only 40 x
magnification. See Fig 1, photographs of a cross section of leaf. They are
located under the upper epidermis in epidermal cells above the palisade
mesophyll. The cystoliths remain in the litter after leaf fall.

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At the bottom of the sandstone cliffs water travels through the massive
sandstone beds by passing along a combination of bedding planes and
block faults. On the way, shell beds are leached and the emerging slow
soaks are often highly calcareous, offering a higher calcium level than in
the contrasting soil profile devzloped on the standstons above.

In the past these examples of gully or cliff face occurrences have been
interpreted in terms of the high levels of moisture required by figs. | suggest
otherwise. Reflect on the reports in Sydney of many ephiphytic occurrences
of figs. On old buildings especially favouring lime mortar, many such trees
existed but most of these have now been collected by Bonsai growers.

| am working on a method of calcium bio-assay using the cystoliths.
It is possible to establish the presence or absence of cystoliths by simple
examination of a leaf section. Fig 1, showing photographs from one experi-
ment illustrates the presence of cystoliths in varying quantities. This is done
by planting.

Rooted cuttings of Ficus taken from the same clone not containing
cystoliths in various soil. Leaf examination six months later should give a
good measure of the available calcium status of the soil by counting the
cystoliths. By further experiment | intend to establish a scale based on
cystolith numbers to establish standards and degrees of calcium availability for
each site. Selected calciphobic and calcophilic species whose performance
in standard soils and to standard applications of calcium is known can be
related to experimental cystolith production under the same conditions. This
method will be quicker, cheaper, easier and more specific, and more suited
to S.G.A.P. members’ use than traditional soil analysis methods.

Fortunately, Ficus rubiginosa falls into that group of plants already men-
tioned where excess calcium promotes dwarfing and where iron deficiency
chlorosis is not induced. Also as soil calcium is related to the number of
cystoliths per given number of cells, not cystolith size, plant and leaf size
variation between sites is unlikely to affect an assay which is based on
cystolith numbers per given area of leaf, not on total calcium.

| have used the cystolith examination method both on naturally occurring
and cultivated trees. With a little practice one can readily recognise deficiency
and sufficiency symptoms in the visual appearance of trees, as well as by
cystolith counts. Trees that are low in calcium have the appearance of being
skeletal with an incomplete open crown, slightly yellowish-green rather than
dark green. Many of Sydney’s planted specimens that | have examined and
which proved very low in cystoliths and hence calcium, had this appearance.
Perhaps this has saved them from destruction as more vigorous growth
would not be appreciated by councils or building owners.

In the natural populations examined, a good correlation was found
between cystoliths, cold exposure and calcium source in the root zone. One
anomalous observation was at a site 5 miles N.W. of Bega, N.S.W., where
one roadside tree but not adjoining trees showed symptoms of frost damage
from winters of 1977/78. The cystolith count was low in this single tree.
Other trees in the area were green and had normal counts and no frost
damage. At this site the rock is granite overlain on the hilltop by basalt
residuals. Road drainage, has taken away the natural down-slope drainage
and hence adequate calcium to the tree, probably the basic cause of the
frost damage to this anomalous tree.

At Bendethera another anomalous situation in frost damage was observed
with one of the three trees previously mentioned but it could not be
explained in terms of calcium supply. Maximum and minimum thermometers
showed a difference between the lowest minima experienced by trees during
the winter of 1978 of 2°C. The difference would be associated with the two
unaffected trees growing over the entrance to underground caves and the
third not. Warmer air issuing from the caves entrances in winter could
have accounted for the temperature difference, and later in this paper |
report expsrimental data which suggests that a 2°C difference in minimum

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temperatures could have been the cause of the observed differential in frost
susceptibility.

Experimental Method

Fifty plants were raised from cuttings from a single tree of Ficus rubi-
ginosa growing at Bendethera, N.S.W. The cuttings were rooted in washed
sand and transferred to 15cm diam. plastic pots containing a known low
calcium status sandy loam soil from Black Mountain, Canberra. All pots
received a basal dressing of all plant nutrition elements except calcium and
iron.

Five replicates of 5 treatments were set up.

Analytical grade Calcium carbonate was applied in three of the 5 treat-
ments as follows:

CONTROL (zero added calcium)

6 GRAMS ( 5 tonnes per hectare appx.)*

12 GRAMS (10 tonnes per hectare appx.)

36 GRAMS (35 tonnes per hectare appx.)

LEACHATE FROM TREATMENTS 1-3.

equivaent surface top-dressing.

Leachate is the excess solution draining from the pots with varying
levels of calcium, that we locate on the upper side of a sloping plastic
covered bench. The treatment 5 pots were arrangsd at the lower side of the
bench. Thus any pot not at the top of the slope was exposed to leachate
from the pots above. The treatment 5 pots therefore received applied calcium
only via this leachate and then only after such time as the roots reached
the lower portion of the pots. All water was applied to the surface of the
pots in quantity sufficient to allow some run through. The controls were
raised above the other pots to prevent any root access to leachates from
other treatments.

When the plants had been growing for 6 weeks, 25 outdoors (hardened
plants in results table) and 25 in an unheated glasshouse, (unhardsned), they
were subjected to frosting in the liquid nitrogen radiation frost room at the
Botany Department, Australian National University, Canberra. (6) During the
hardening period for the outdoor plants, they were subjected on several
nights to zero or near zero temperatures but never lower. Prior to frosting
treatments there were no obvious nutrient disorders apart from height differ-
entials which are shown in Table 1.

The first frosting was carried out on 9.5.78 at a temperature of -2.5°C.
The heights of the plants were recorded on this date and again nine days
later prior to the second frosting. The plant heights as measured were iden-
tical with those taken after another fourteen days had elapsed to zllow full
frost damage symptoms to develop. (Table 1). The temperature was measured
by placing thermocouple wires inside uppear leaf surfaces and recorded on
a chart recorder. On the 18.5.78 the plants were again frosted at -4°C and
all removed to the glasshouse to observe frosting symptoms.

Prior to using the material from Bendsthera for experimental purposes
a number of preliminary trials were carried out to eliminate the possibility
of marked differencs in response arising from genetic differences between
Ficus rubiginosa provenances.

Plants from the Sydney area and Bendethera showed identical responses
to the calcium and frosting imposed. At a lower temperature of -6°C all
plants showed effects of frosting whether calcium enriched or not. Plants
survived this temperature and suffered with some leaf drop and leaf burn.
The number of repeated frostings that the plants can survive at this tempera-
ture was not determined, but a field recording at Bendethera reached —-6°C
on at least one occasion during the winter of 1979.

In Canberra, Ficus rubiginosa has survived outdoors for three successive
winters with adequate calcium but total growth increment is minimal, as
summer growth is lost each winter by almost total defoliation, and loss of
small diameter stems.

00 e Q3R

Page 225—Vol. 10



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Results

On 1.6.78 the plants were rated for frost damage and growth. Frost
damage was assessed by the rating method as described by Paton, (7) their
heights were measured.

The results were summarised on Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1
Mean Height of Plants (cms) Mean pH Values of Soil
+ S.E. at 9.5.79 and 1.6.78 after One Year + S.E.
NOT
TREATMENT HARDENED HARDENED
CONTROL 9.4 + 0.7 140+ 15 4.5 4- 0.01
LEACHATE 27.0 + 3.6 28.0 +- 3.9 4.7 + 0.22
CaCos 6g 28.6 + 2.8 30.6 4= 2.5 7.0 + 0.07
Ca Cos 12g 28.4 % 2.0 38.8 & 1.1 7.7 = 0.30
Ca Cos 36g 33.2 + 2.1 326+ 1.1 8.5 + 0.00
TABLE 2
Frost Damage* after —2.5°C Frosting After —4°C Frosting
NOT NOT
TREATMENT HARDENED HARDENED HARDENED HARDENED
CONTROL Means 1.6 0.5 8.8 2.0
LEACHATE " 0 0 1.8 0.4
CaCos 6g i 0 0 1.3 0.8
Ca Cos 12g v 0 0 1.7 0.8
Ca Cos 36g v [¢] 0 2.1 0.9

* Frost damage assessed visually on a 10-unit scale separating unaffected (0), inter-
mediate damage (2-9) and killed plants (10).

Discussions and Conclusions

The growth response to applied calcium was highly significant, Table 1.
Applied calcium increased growth from two to three times over that of the
controls. In this case the plants in treatments where increased growth result-
ed from application of calcium, were more frost resistant. Normally increased
growth is associated with tenderness and increased frost susceptibility.

This is often the case following responses to fertiliser application parti-
cularly nitrogen. Even within control plants, the normal effect of slight frost
resistance was apparent in the hardened, compared with unhardened. The
plants growing indoors were more tender and hence more frost susceptible
compared with the plants that were grown outdoors.

The threshold effect of added lime to frost resistance is shown by the
lowest actual level of lime supplied, that is the leachate, it being almost as
effective as the heavy levels of applied calcium.

As mentioned previously the calcium effect may be linked with pH but
the results shown in Table 2 suggest that neither the growth nor the frost
resistance of plants in the leachate treatment were significantly affected by
low pH. The increased pH levels in treatments 2 through to 5 (Table 2)
could be attributed the observed differences in frost susceptibility and plant
height, However, the low pH observed in treatment 2 does not support this
assumption. It would seem reasonable then to propose that the action of
calcium in the carbonate form is independent of the pH effect.

In assessing the frost damage at —4°C it was noticed the plants developed
a mottled pattern of frost damage with patches of several square millimetres
of necrotic leaf surface alternating with areas of unaffected leaf. Preliminary
microscopic examination showed that there was a relationship between
cystolith numbers and affected and unaffected areas, the latter having a
higher cystolith count than the necrotic areas.

Perhaps this difference could be associated with the concentration of
calcium salts that could affect the freezing point of cell contents. Assuming
that the concentration of soluble calcium is higher in those cells having
cystoliths, the contents of those cells would freeze at a lower temperature

Page 226—Vol. 10



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than otherwise, This could explain the apparent protective action of cystoliths
against frost damage.

Conclusions

Calcium is a limiting factor in the growth of the Eastern Australian species
Ficus rubiginosa. It has a direct effect on its frost resistance and this is
offered as an explanation for certain disjunct occurrences of F. rubiginosa
in frost areas.

The apparent dependence of cystolith numbers in calcium status of this
plant suggest that F. rubiginosa could be used in a simple bio-assay for
evaluating the relative calcium status of different soils. Such a tool if success-
ful has potential for predicting the amount of additional calcium needed for
successful growth of other calcium dependent species and would substitute
for expensive and often inconclusive conventional soil and plant analyses
which are beyond the reach of many.

Outside the realm of Australian plants a further application is suggested
in view of the demonstrated frost protection afforded by applied calcium
in Ficus rubiginosa. Similar responses may be found in economically important
species that prove to be tolerant of high levels of calcium.

Great financial losses are often incurred through damage from temper-
atures well within the range reported in these experiments in such species
as tomatoes, citrus and coffee, to cite but a few examples. The screening of
such species for tolerance of high calcium levels and possible resulting
improved frost tolerance could prove a worthwhile line of investigation.

REFERENCES

(1) SWEET, R. The British Flower Garden ser. 2, 3, t. 265, 1834. IN CHAPMAN,
A.D. Newsletter, p. 9, Vol. 3, No. 6, 1976 — S.G.A.P. Canberra Region.

(2) CAMFIELD, Julius H. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. — Jan. 2, 1904, p. 65-71.

(3) 1GE?7T7HAM, J. and BUTLER, G. P. Australian Plants, p. 113-114 — Vol. 9, No. 71,

(4) WEBB, J. Australian Plants, p. 109-112, Vol. 9, No. 71, 1977.

(5) Pers. Comm. J. LEE, Castlecrag, Sydney.

(6) ASTON, M. J. and PATON, D. M. Aust. J. Bot. 21, 193-9, 1973.

(7) PATON, D. M. Aust. J. Bot. 20, 127-39, 1972. [

STUDY GROUPS

Study groups comprise people maintaining contact by mail through a leader, who
share an interest in a special group of plants. They exchange experiences, seed,
cuttings, and engage in simple projects aimed at the better understanding of the cultivation
requirements of their special interest. If interested, send $2.00 to one of the following:—

ACACIA Mrs. Marion Simmons, P.O. Box 1148, Legana, Tas., 7251.
BANKSIA Mr. Trevor L. Blake. 12 Little John Court, Vermont, V. 3133.
BEAUFORTIA Mr. Brian Walters, ¢/- 914 Hume Highway, Bass Hill, N.S.W. 2197,
CALCIUM NUTRITION Mr. Jim Webb, 22 Araba Place, Aranda, A.C.T., 2614.
CALLISTEMON Mrs. Doris Phelps, Loxton North, S.A., 5333.
CALYTRIX Mrs. Joan Doney, 64 Cary Street, Wyoming, N.S.W., 2251.
CYCAD & ZAMIAD Mr. Leonard P. Butt, 25 Ortive Street, Yeronga, Q. 4104.
DRYANDRA Mr. Tony Cavenagh, 2 Wilkinson Street, Ocean Grove, 3226.
EREMAEA Leader has resigned. Anyone interested in carrying on the work
on this important genus should contact the Editor.
EREMOPHILA Mr. Geoff Needham, 2 Stuckey Avenue, Underdale, S.A., 5032,
EUCALYPTUS Mr. L. J. Daniels, Research Stn., P.O. Box 201, Biloela, Qld. 4715.
FERN Mrs. Gerry Parker, 7 Blackbutts Rd., Frenchs Forest, N.S.W. 2086.
GREVILLEA Mr. Mervyn Hodge, 25 Barford Street, Moorooka, Q. 4105.
HAKEA Dr. Michael Barratt, Lot 33, Cranebrook Rd., Cranebrook, 2750.
HIBBERTIA Mr. Bernard Dixon, 82 Gilbertson Road, Kardinya, W.A., 6163.
MELALEUCA Mr. Ralph Campbell, 58 Lee-Steere Cres., Kombah, A.C.T. 2902.
PROSTANTHERA Mr. Les Taylor, 4 Prospect Street, Blacktown, N.S.W. 2148.
RUTACEAE Dr. M. L. Turner, Bush Gems’, Old Emerald Rd., Monbulk, V. 3793.
STYLIDIUM Mr. Richard Davidson, P.O. Box 51, Melton South, V. 3338.

Corrections To Our Past Issue

My most serious mistake was to omit the photographer for that magnificeqt colour
plate on the front cover, Platycerium superbum. | wish to record my congratulations and
appreciaticn and those of many readers who have written since, to George Thorpe.

Th> other major omission was to advise that Len Butt is the leader of a Study Group
on Cycads & Zamiads as listed above, and not the Fern Group that is capably led by
Gerry Parker.

Page 227—Vol. 10



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ORGANIC MATTER AND SOIL — A recommendation by your Editor

This is the title of the latest booklet No. 7, in the series ‘‘Discovering
Soils” by the CSIRO Division of Soils. It would be, easily, the most fascinating
description of what soil is and how it supports plants that | have ever read.
A description? More like a story, an epic of adventure as the author takes
us into the soil litter with the eyes of a small beetle; then as a smaller creature
through the stomach of an animal, out again onto the soil; back down into
the soil, dragged in by an ant; studying the structure of the soil from the view-
point of such a tiny creature; observing the wonder of a plant root growing
and forcing its way through the soil; the world of tiny creatures living with
and off these new roots; becoming infinitely smaller to examine, almost see,
the graphic description being so good, the very molecular structure of the
organisms involved; even trifling with the time scale to watch the changes in
soil pass before our eyes over the last several thousand years.

And this is but the first twelve pages of this 50-page booklet that uses
this build up so that the reader may more readily understand the role of
organic matter, the various elements in the soil, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc., as
well as the trace elements, and the very structure of soil and its care in the
nurturing of plant life.

Readers, you simply must get a copy of this book and acknowledge the
fine work of our C.S.I.R.O, and its officers. This No. 7 — Organic Matter and
Soils, is available for $2.00 from the C.S.I.R.O., P.O. Box 89, East Melbourne,
3002.

Previous volumes in this series are advised in our No. 78 issue, page 79.
The price has now increased to $1.25 for Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5, and $1.50 for
Nos. 4 and 6.

THE SPECIAL OFFER Editor concerned over delay.

Australian Native Plants by John W. Wrigley & Murray Fagg.
Available as a special offer from The Editor, 860 Henry Lawson Drive, Picnic
Point, N.S.W. 2213 for $25.00 inc. postage — Full price is $30 plus postage.

There have been many books that have attempted to present the horticultural use of
The Australian Flora but this book could reasonably be said to be the most up-to-date
and comprehensive book ever. Produced in 448 pages, large pages 28 x 19 cm, and
lavished illustrated by colour photography by that superb photographer, Murray Fagg,
with clear line sketches of pests, propagation methods, etc., it is also a production, the
publishers, Collins, can be very proud of.

The magic ingredient however is the writing of John Wrigley, the Curator
National Botanic Gardens, Canberra. John has always been a keen home gardener of
Australia’s wildflowers and was a key figure in the creation of the Kuring-gai Wildflower
Garden. He is fully aware of what the home gardener needs to know and how to present
it in easily understood terms. Supplement this basic understanding with professional
scientific qualifications, a keen intellect and the ability to observe and record vital
information, together with the experience as Curator of the National Botanic Gardens
for many years, and you have a book of immense value.

Australian National Parks & Wildlife, Vol. 2, No. 3-4

Why not join the National Parks & Wildlife Service of N.S.W. and receive their
two publications a year at an annual subscription of $5.00. The latest large 160-page
book above refers to all the national parks of Australia, with magnificent colour plates.
The next 121-page book explores the life styles and technology of the Aboriginat
_peofiles ‘l’:ovefore settlement in N.S.W. The first, in 1980, will be on endangered animals
in N.S.W.

Australian Conservation Foundation .

. You may join the vital Australian Conservation Foundation for $24.00 per annum,
or just subscribe to its colour periodical ‘“Habitat”” for $5.00 per annum. The August
issue has 30 pages with some magnificent colour photography. Why not contribute and
learn more of the critical situation of today, conservation and environment.

The Australian Orchid Foundation

The foundation extends an open invitation for applications for support or grants
by any person or group who has a desire to do specialised work on any subject that
relates to orchids. The Foundation is a voluntary and non-profit organisation dedicated
“‘to collect, preserve, protect, promote, propagate, nurture and cultivate orchids . . .”
Enquiries and donations, bequests, etc.,, may be forwarded to The Australian Orchid
Foundation, 107 Roberts Street, Essendon, Vic., 3040.

Page 228—Vol. 10



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Developments in the Taxonomy of

The Kangaroo Paws

by STEPHEN D. HOPPER, Western Australian Wildlife Research Centre
P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, W.A. 6065

Introduction

The 12 species of kangaroo paws rank among the most spectacular of
the many wildflowers endemic in the south-west of Western Australia. Their
richly coloured flowers have long attracted interest among native plant
growers. Birds are the natural pollinators of the kangaroo paws and,
consequently, a garden containing some of these plants is bound to be
alive with honeyeaters in the flowering season.

Anigozanthos gabrielae Photography by E. Humphreys

Anigozanthos gabrielae. This diminuitive species, previously known as A. bicolor
var. minor, is restricted to winter-wet swamps and creeks immediately to the north and
south of the Stirling Range in W.A. It appears in large numbers the first spring after a
bushfire but fails to persist in subsequent years. The flowering stems are usually 5-15 cm
tall and splay outwards from the rhizome. The flowers are 2-4 cm long, in contrast to
those of A. bicolor which are 4-6 cm long. As with the other red and green kangaroo
paws, A. gabrielae has rare colour variants including an all red form and a form with
yellow-orange ovaries.

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| became interested in the group on learning that some kangaroo paw
species hybridise in nature. Because the hybridising species often show
striking differences in floral colouration and floral structure, their natural
hybrids are easy to recognise and have provided excellent material for
ecological and evolutionary studies (Hopper 1977a, 1977b, 1978a, 1978b,
1978c; Hopper and Burbidge 1978).

In the course of my initial work on the kangaroo paws it came as
something of a surprise to find that, despite their horticultural popularity,
there was very little published information available on the biology of the
group. Useful summaries of existing data were provided by Grieve and
Marchant (1963) and Beard (1963), but it was apparent that much more
research was required for a sound understanding of the ecology, evolution
and cultivation of the species. Moreover, a taxonomic revision of Anigo-
zanthos published by Geerinck (1970) contained szveral contentious changes
with which Western Australian taxonomists disagreed. It was clear that
further work was necessary to produce a satisfactory resolution of these
points of disagreement on the classification of the kangaroo paws.

In the present article | aim to summarise results of recent studies
which have clarified taxonomic relationships in the group. It is hoped that
this contribution will serve to standardisec the names used in future publi-
cations on the kangaroo paws.

Correct Spelling of Names

Some confusion still persists as to the correct spelling of the generic
name Anigozanthos. Eichler's (1971) thorough consideration of the subject
established that the fourth syllable of the name commences with “z” rather
than “s”, and that *“. . . os” rather than “. . . us” is the correct ending.
Thus, Anigozanthos is correct; Anigosanthos, Anigosanthus, Anigozanthus
and other variants are incorrect.

Another source of confusion and dispute concerns the correct endings
for the spelling of A. flavidus, A. pulcherrimus and A. rufus. The names of
these species traditionally have ended in . . . a” rather than in “. . . us”.
However, both Geerinck (1970) and George (1974a) have pointed out that
the original spellings were at variance with conventions proposed in the
International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. Most taxonomists now agree
that “. . . us” is the correct ending for the names of A. flavidus, A. pul-
cherrimus and A. rufus.

Status of The Black Kangaroo Paw (Macropidia fuliginosa)

In the first comprehensive treatment of the kangaroo paws, Bentham
(1873) placed the black kangaroo paw in a separate gsnus (Macropidia) from
all the other species. Subsequently, this view has been accepted by most
Australian taxonomists. However, Mueller (1873) and Geerinck (1970) chose
to disagree and argued that M. fuliginosa should be incorporated within
Anigozanthos. Recently, an attempt to resolve this conflict was undertaken
through comparative studies of floral structure, seed morphology, ecology,
reproductive biology and interspecific crossing relationships (Hopper and
Campbell, 1977; Hopper, 1978b). The weight of evidence arising from these
studies indicates that the recognition of Macropidia as a genus distinct
from Anigozanthos is in closest agreement with genetic and morphological
relationships. Attempts to obtain hybrids between M. fuliginosa and species of
Anigozanthos from controlled pollinations were uniformly unsuccessful,
whereas hybrids were produced from all interspecific combinations of
Anigozanthos investigated.

Status of Anigozanthos viridis and A. bicolor

Bentham’s (1873) widely accepted recognition of thess two taxa as
distinct species was challenged by Geerinck (1970), who proposed that they
were more appropriately regarded as varieties of the same species.
Quantitative morphological studies (Hopper and Campbell, 1977) indicated

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that the two taxa were clearly distinct in leaf shape, and largely (but not
entirely) distinguishable in floral shape and size. More recently Hopper
(1978b) has established that partially sterile hybrids are produced when
A. viridis and A. bicolor are cross-pollinated. The evidence now available
suggests that these two taxa show sufficient morphological and genetic
differentiation to be regarded as separate species.

Status of Anigozanthos bicolor and A. gabrielae

Bentham (1873) named two varieties of A. bicolor, one of which (var.
major) was widespread in woodland areas marginal to the main jarrah forest
of the south-west, and the other (var. minor), which was confined to the
Stirling Range area. Subsequently, Domin (1912) elevated var. minor to
specific rank, naming it A. gabrielae. This proposal did not gain widespread
acceptance among Australian taxonomists and was largely forgotten until
Geerinck (1970) agreed with Domin in regarding A. gabrielae as specifically
distinct from A. bicolor. Morphometric studies have confirmed that the two
taxa are distinct in floral, leaf and seed structure (Hopper and Campbell,
1977). Crossing experiments have established that while some reduction in
szed set occurs on hybridisation, the resultant F. hybrids are fully fertile
(Hopper 1978b). These data suggest that A. gabrielae and A. bicolor are
very closely related and are probably best regarded as ‘‘semispecies” in
an evolutionary sense (Grant, 1971). While the choice of taxonomic rank is
to some extent arbitrary in such a situation, the morphological differences
between A. gabrielae and A. bicolor are certainly comparable to those used
to distinguish other closzly related species in Anigozanthos (e.g. A. rufus
and A. pulcherrimus). Accordingly, | consider it appropriate to regard these
taxa as separate species.

New Species of Anigozanthos

Two new kangaroo paws have been described in recent years (George,
1974b; Hopper, 1978d). Both are localised in distribution, and both may
have escaped detection until the current decade because they appear to
occur in large populations only the first growing season after a bushfire
or following other forms of habitat disturbance such as chaining or bull-
dozing. Improved access to the habitats of the new species in the 1970’s
also probably contributed to their discovery.

Anigozanthos onycis A. S. George (branched catspaw)

This species is a perennial herb producing ephemeral dark green leaves
5-15 cm long and 2-15 mm wide. Scapes are few per plant and 15-30 cm
high. Racemes number 2-8 and are widely branched as in A. pulcherrimus.
Up to nine flowers per raceme are produced, the indumentum usually being
dull red or yellow suffused with red. Perianths are 3-5 cm long, with spreading
horizontal lobes giving the flower a claw-like appearance as in A. preissii.
Stamens are inserted at two levels in the perianth, the central four having
filamants 3-4 mm long and the outer two with filaments 6-8 mm long. Anthers
are 3-4 mm long and tipped with small appendages as in A. flavidus.

A. onycis occurs on hillslopss and sandplains in mallee heathland in
the Stirling Range-Bremer Bay area. It is one of the rarest kangaroo paws,
usually occurring in small roadside populations on verges which have been
bulldozed or burnt. It flowers from late August to early November, reaching
a peak in September-October.

Limited experimental data suggsst that heat pretreatments (two hours
in a waterbath at 55-60°C) considerably boost germination (Hopper 1978b).
However, the species appears to be short-lived in cultivation, usually suc-
cumbing to fungal infection within two years of germination under a daily
watering regime.

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A. onycis has a number of morphological features suggesting affinities
with members of the branched species group (notably A. preissii) and the
single-stemmed species group (in particular A. humilis), and thus provides
a link between the two major subgeneric divisions within Anigozanthos
(Hopper and Campbell, 1977).

Photography by S. D. Hopper

Anigozanthos onycis (above)

One of the two new kangaroo paws named recently, this plant grows in disturbed
habitats in the Stirling Range—Bremer Bay area of W.A. Flowering stems are 15-30 cm
high and the flowers are up to 5 cm long. The species name, derived from the Greek
onyx (a claw, talon), refers to the claw-like appearance of the open flowers. See
previous page for further details.

Anigozanthos kalbarriensis S. D. Hopper (Kalbarri catspaw).

A. kalbarriensis is a perennial herb with slightly glaucescent ephemeral
leaves up to 12 cm long, 3-10 mm wide, and the lower ones curved as in
A. humilis. Several unbranched scapes 10-20 cm high are produced, each
bearing a single terminal raceme of 3-20 flowars. Perianths are 2.5-4.5 cm
long with lobes reflexed 180° backwards as in A. manglesii. The indumentum
is consistently red on the scape and ovaries, but may be yellow suffused with
red, pale green or golden yellow on perianths. Stamens are inserted at
three levels as in A. humilis, the outer pair characteristically being low in
the perianth and more distant from the second pair than the second and
central pairs are from each other. Filaments and anthers are approximately
equal in length, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 mm.

This species is a localised endemic of the low heathlands immediately
north and south of the lower reaches of the Murchison River. It appears to
favour early succession post-fire communities occupying winter-wet de-
pressions in undulating sandplain. It flowers from August to October.

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Anigozanthos kalbarriensis Photography by J. Glass

Anigozanthos kalbarriensis. This species is restricted to the heathlands of the lower
Murchison River in Kalbarri National Park. It is readily distinguished from the common
catspaw (A. humilis) in having perianth lobes that curl up and back along the floral tube.
The red colouration of the plant illustrated is the colour most commonly seen. Occa-
sional golden yellow, and vyellow-suffused-with-red forms are also known. Although the
kangaroo paws are among the better known plants of south-western Australia, A. kal-
barriensis escaped detection and was not recognised and named as a distinct species
until 1978. Its flowers are 3-4 cm long, and flowering stems are 5-20 cm high.

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Attempts to germinate seeds, with and without heat pretreatment, have
met with little success (Hopper, 1978b; R. Dixon, pers. comm.). In addition,
the few plants raised in cultivation were prone to fungal attack and died
within two years of germination.

A. kalbarriensis is related to A. humilis, the common catspaw, but also
shares certain characteristics with A. manglesii and its allies. It has been
suggested that A. kalbarriensis may be a stabilised backcross derivative of
natural hybrids of A. humilis and A. manglesii (Hopper, 1978b), but further
work is requirsd to substantiate this hypothesis.

Undescribed Subspecies of Anigozanthos

Recent morphometric studies of intraspecific geographical variation
(Hopper, 1978b, unpublished data) indicate that four of the single-stemmed
kangaroo paws have gzographical races that are sufficiently distinct from
nominate races to warrant recognition as subspecies. These as yet unnamed
taxa include the yellow race of A. humilis from Mogumber, a short-stemmed
race of A. bicolor with markedly constricted perianths which ranges from
Williams southwards, the northern (Eneabba-Shark Bay) race of A. manglesii
with red-orange ovarizss, large flowers and occasionally branched scapes,
and a short-stemmed race of A. viridis with metallic green flowers that is
confined to the Cataby Creek-Nambung area north of Perth. Another taxon
possibly deserving subspecific rank is a race of A. pulcherrimus with hirsute
leaves which is presently known only from the Mogumber area.

Colour Variants of Kangaroo Paws

Rare flower colour variants are now known for several species. As yet,
none of these variants has been given formal taxonomic status, and only
a few have been registered as cultivars. Red and orange hues appear in
A. flavidus, particularly in the Margaret River district. Flowers of A. humilis
are sometimes red, pink, pure yellow and very rarely almost white. Populations
of the normally red-and-green species (A. manglesii, A. bicolor and A.
gabrielae) occasionally contain plants with yellow or red perianths and orange
ovaries. A. viridis appears with colours ranging from dark metallic green
through to lemon vyellow, and very rarely a purple variant may be found.
A. kalbarriensis has a range of colour variants in any one population (as
described above). A. pulcherrimus occasionally appears orange rather than
the normal golden vyellow colour. A. rufus has been recorded on rare
occasions in a yellow form which has led to erroneous claims for south
coastal occurrences of A. pulcherrimus.

With the exception of the red and orange forms of A. flavidus, none of
these colour variants have been used extensively in the nursery trade. It is
of interest to note that Mr. R. Dixon of King’s Park and Botanic Garden has
established that the orange colour variants of A. manglesii breed true when
hand-pollinated among themselves. | have obtained similar results for variants
of A. humilis, A. viridis and A. bicolor. Thus, there would appear to be a
rich field for future work by plant breeders in developing commercial
quantities of the many attractive colour forms now known.

Key to the Species of Kangaroo Paws

1. Flowers black and green; anthers borne on filaments 25-35 mm long;
ovules one per locule ... ... ...... Macropidia fuliginosa
1. Flowers red and green, green, yellow yellow—suffused-wnth red, orange
or red; anthers borne on filaments less than 15 mm long; ovules two or
more per locule ... ... . Anigozanthos spp.

2. Inflorescences solltary on a vertlcal stem

3. Stamens inserted at three levels in the perianth

4. Perianth lobes horizontal or reflexed vertically no more than
90°; flowers entirely yellow or yellow-suffused-with-red; wide-
spread in south-western Australia ... A. humilis

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4. Perianth lobes reflexed backwards 180°; flowers two-coloured
with red ovaries and green, yellow or red perianths; lower

Murchison River area only ... ... A. kalbarriensis
3. Stamens inserted at one or two Ievels in the perianth
5. Flowers entirely green or yellow-green ... A. viridis

5. Flowers two-coloured with red ovaries and green perianths
6. Perianths 6-10 cm long and not constricted markedly near
the stamens; anthers 5-10 mm long, much longer than the
FIAMBALS: ..o crusmenunennnmnanrsanpesmms oo msns dxsrssRasi RS ERES 55 A. manglesii
6. Perianths less than 6 cm long and noticeably constricted in
width near the stamens; anthers less than 5 mm long, equal

to or shorter than the filaments
7. Inflorescences 20-70 cm high; perianths 35-60 mm

long B A. bicolor
Y& Inflorescences 520 cm high; perianths 25-35 mm
IONG A. gabrielae

2. Inflorescences numerouvs on a dichotomously branched stem, or in
close pairs on a shortly divided vertical stem
8. Inflorescences in close pairs on a shortly divided vertical stem;
perianths 50-60 mm long ... . A. preissii
§. Inflorescences numerous on a dlchofiomously branched stem;
perianths 30-50 mm long
9. Back of anthers orange; inflorescence usually 1.5-3.5 m tall;
flowers lemon green, occasionally suffused with red A. flavidus
9. Back of anthers green; inflorescence less than 1.5 m tall;
flowers golden yellow, crimson-red or orange
10. Perianth lobes horizontal; inflorescences 10-30 cm high;
flowers orange-red ..o, A. onycis
10. Perianth lobes reflexed backwards 180°; inflorescences
50-150 cm high; flowers golden yellow or crimson-red

11. Flowers golden-yellow ... A. pulcherrimus
11. Flowers crimson-red e A. rufus
REFERENCES

Beard, J. S. (1963). Growing the kangaroo paws. Aust. Plants 2, 106, 129-136.

Bentham, G. (1873). ‘Flora Australiensis’. Vol. 6 (Reeve & Co., London).

Domin, K. (1912). Additions to the flora of western and north-western Australia.
J. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 41, 245-283.

Eichler, H. (1971). Anigozanthos and its orthographic variants. Aust. Plants 6, 82-84.

Geerinck, D. (1970). Revision de genre Anigozanthos Labill (Haemodoraceae d’Australie).
Bull. Nat. Plantentiun Belg. No. 40, pp. 261-276.

George, A. S. (1974a). Five new species of Adenanthos (Proteaceae) from Western
Australia. Nuytsia 1, 381-387.

George, A. S. (1974b). A new species of Anigozanthos (Haemodoraceae) from Western
Australia. Nuytsia 1, 367-369.

Grant, V. (1971). ‘Plant Speciation’ (Columbia University Press, New York).

Grieve, B. J. and N. Marchant (1963). The kangaroo paws of W.A. Aust Plants
2, 107-115.

Hopper, S. D. (1977a). The structure and dynamics of a hybrid population of
Anigozanthos manglesii D. Don and A. humilis Lindl. (Haemodoraceae). Aust. J.
Bot. 25, 413-422.

Hopper, S. D. (1977b). The reproductive capacity of Anigozanthos manglesii D. Don,
A. humilis Lindl. and their hybrids in a wild population. Aust. J. Bot. 25, 423-428.

Hopper, S. D. (1978a). Progeny trials in an introgressive hybrid population of
Anigozanthos Labill. (Haemodoraceae). Aust. J. Bot. 26, 309-317

Hopper, S. D. (1978b). ’Speciation in the Kangaroo Paws of South-western Australia
(Anigozanthos and Macropidia: Haemodoraceae).” Ph. D. thesis, University of
Western Australia. . i

Hopper, S. D. (1978c). An_experimental study of competitive interference between
Anigozanthos manglesii D. Don, A. humilis Lindl. and their F, hybrids (Haemo-
doraceae). Aust. J. Bot. 26, 807-817. .

Hopper, S. D. (1978d). A new species of Anigozanthos Labill. from the Murchison
River sandheaths of Western Australia. Nuytsia 2, 181-183

Hopper, S. D. and A. H. Burbidge (1978). Assortative polllnatlon by Red Wattlebirds
in a hybrid pcpulation of Anigozanthos Labill. (Haemodoraceae). Aust. J. Bot.

335-350

Hopp(ze?, S. D. and N. A. Campbell (1977). A multivariate morphometric study of species
relationships in kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos Labill. and Macropidia Drumm. ex
Harv.: Haemodoraceae) Aust. J. Bot. 25, 523-544

Mueller, F. (1873). ‘Fragmenta Phytographie Australie.’ Vol. 8.

Page 235—Vol. 10



@@@ 40 @@@



Anigozanthos bicolor

Often referred to as the small red and green kangaroo paw it is a smaller edition
of A. manglesii growing to 20-70 cm tall with narrower leaves. The perianth (flower)
is also smaller, less than 6 cm long and noticeably constricted in width near the
stamens. However the flowers are larger than A. gabrielae. The plant illustrated belongs
to the southern race of A. bicolor, characterised by short flowering stems (20-50 cm), a
purple tinge to the red ovary, and very constricted perianth. The northern race, ranging
from Mt. Cooke to Mogumber, has erect stems up to 70 cm tall, rich red ovaries, and
only slightly constricted perianths.

Anigozanthos humilis x A. manglesii (opposite top)

An inflorescence of this hybrid is shown in between an inflorescence of A. humilis
on the left and an inflorescence of A. manglesii on the right. The colour of the hybrid
illustrated is that most commonly seen. Occasional plants that are all red or red stemmed
with golden yellow perianths have been produced. A spectacular population of A. humilis,
A. manglesii and their natural hybrids occurs in the shire cemetery at Gingin, 80 km N.
of Perth, in W.A. This population is regularly visited by wildflower tourist buses, and has
been studied in some detail by Dr. Stephen Hopper and his colleagues (see references
listed on page 235).

Photography by Eric Crane
Anigozanthos humilis — The Cats Paw

A magnificent plant. The smallest of the paws but one of the best. It is the most
widespread species of Anigozanthos, ranging from the Kalbarri area in the north some 670
km south to Ruabon on the west coast and 900 km south-east to Hopetoun on the south
coast. It skirts around the main jarrah forest belt, favouring woodlands and heathlands
on deep sand. A number of forms are recognised over its considerable geographical
range, including a pure yellow race with erect stems up to 60 cm tall from Mogumber.
Northern populations are diminutive, with 5-15 cm flowering stems and very small flowers.

Page 236—Vol. 10



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o

Anigozanthos humilis A. humilis x A. manglesii A. manglesii

Anigozanthos humilis
Page 237—Vol. 10



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Ant Plant:

by Bob Smythe, Townsville, Qld.

Ant plants are malformed bulbous epiphytes found in North Queens-
land at least as far south as Townsville where it is quite common. Two other
epiphytes often found associated with the Ant Plant are Dendrobium canalicu-
latum (Tea Tree Orchid) and Dischidia nummularia (the so-called Button
Orchid which is not an orchid).

The three epiphytes mentioned prefer as their host pure stands of
Melaleuca viridiflora, with the Tea Tree Orchid occurring only very rarely in
areas of mixed forest. These melaleuca stands occur in very infertile alkaline
soils along the coast. The soil is usually saturated with water for three months
of the year and colonised with very little undershrubs. The plants are patchy
and have a marsh blue appearance. The rest of the year is very dry and
probably during this period the Ant Plant draws its water from its enlarged
stem and from deeper layers of the paper bark of M. viridiflora. The large
swollen stems of the Ant Plant are honeycombed with tunnels which harbour
myriads of ants (hence the common name). Many an over-zealous orchid
collector has been set back a pace by mistakenly collecting this plant for
an orchid.

The flowers are uninteresting, being simply a white tubular translucent
appendage 1 to 2 cm long bubbling out of the diminutive but gnarled trunk.

Refer to the colour plates in “A Horticultural Guide to Australian Plants”
of the Ant Pant species Myrmecodia antoinii and Hydnophytum formicarum.

It is said that there is no symbiosis between ant and plant and | cannot
disprove this, but the apparent gregarious nature of these plants, often forming
together into one large mass, makes me think that at least in return for
shelter the ants might involve themselves in seed dissemination (or lack
thereof) and/or germination.

Ant Plants have been successfully grown in bush houses without ants
and make a rather attractive pot plant. They must be grown in very open,
well-drained media. Pumice stone would be suitable but a local stone of
volcanic origin called Quincan Gravel (Scoria) is most successful.

A Horticultural Guide To Australian Plants See page 243 for prices

This society publication has been described in previous issues. This is to announce
the availability of sets 5 and 6 of these magnificent colour plates of plants with accom-
panying descriptions available for $3 per set includina postage. Of topical interest are
the colour plates of the Ant Plants mentioned above, Myrmecodia antoinii and Hydnophy-
tum formicarum. Our previous issue featured the Stag and Elk Horns and readers are
referred to the colour plates of Platycerium veitchii and P. hillii in the horticultural guide
series.

Vegetation Maps of Western Australia $6.00 each plus postags
Available from Vegmap Publicaticns, 6 Fraser Road, Applecross, W.A. 6153.

These comprise 20 maps, scale 1: 250,000, of the wildflower areas of Western
Australia stretching from Israelite Bay to Shark Bay in the North. Please refer to the
full page report on this series, page 82 of issue No. 78. If you are going to W.A. you
must have these maps. The final 4 in the series are now available from the publisher.

Perfumed and Aromatic Australian Plants Price $2.00, plus 60c postage.

This 172-page little book has been prepared by the members of the Western
Suburbs Branch of the Society in Brisbane, and a lot of work has gone into it. They
have devoted a page to mention each of some 150 species of wildflowers that they
have noted are perfumed or produces a noticeable smell. Everyone knows the joy of
savouring the perfume of the Brown Boronia, megastigma. There are many more plants,
possibly not so noticeable, that contribute to the bushland fragrance. This book
represents a first report on their efforts. They also have this information in a loose-leaf
form and a suitable binder for $4.50, plus 80c postage.

Page 238—Vol. 10



@@@ 43 @@@



The Society — Where are we going?, What have we done?

With this periodical in its 21st year and the society in its 23rd year,
perhaps we should pause and reflect what has been achieved and where we
should direct our energies. It has been policy to restrict comment in this
publication to matters directly related to the flora and leave Society matters
for our other publications circulated to members only. Just for this, our 21st
year, we will include comment on Society matiers of genzral interest.

The Australian Flora — Its preservation!

This is our objective. In its broadest sense, this does not only mean its
conservation in parks and in the wild. There are many other conservation
societies whose total aims are directed in this area and a decision was taken
very early, in fact the very reason for forming the Society, that this Society
will support these conservation bodies to the maximum extent possible, but
that we should concentrate on the largely neglected area of its cultivation.

There seems little doubt that, as man increases his pressures on the en-
vironment and the natural features of this restricted world of ours, interference
with the natural crdesr of all life forms will elliminate many irreplaceable trea-
sures which includes much of Australia’s unique flora. We will have to find a
way to maintain life in this new environment and just fencing off areas and
calling them reserves without suitable care and management is only a start.

Conversely, nobody really believes that we will preserve our flora by cul-
tivation in home gardens or even specially established public gardens. But!
There is hope that lessons being learned in the propagation and cultivation
of our wildflowers by home gardeners will make a significant contribution to
the ultimate objective — the preservation of the Australian Flora.

Quite reasonably there has been concern by members that the Society
has not devoted proper attention to the conservation of the flora in the wild.
The officers of the Society are honorary, certainly dedicated, but overworked
and in need of support. Is it little wonder that they have had to direct their
energies to the Societies primary objective. Their concern remains.

What is to be done? If the Society’s executive body examined the very
numerous conservation issues that continue to arise, they would have no time
for other matters relating to cultivation. Conversely the situation in many areas
has become critical and some action becomes an obligation. The Society in
each State is very concerned about all matters including conservation and
is taking measures that suit their circumstances. Meanwhile members espe-
cially concerned should enquire how they can help as well as joining and giv-
ing support to the various action groups especially created for conservation.

At the recent Federal Conference, Chris. Cobbold was appointed Federal
Conservation Liaison Officer.

Vale—Arthur James Swaby

It is with abiding respect that we record the passing of the founder of the Society
For Grow'ng Australian Plants. He died at the ripe old age of 92 years on the 20th
October, 1979. The Society was well represented at the funeral by Victorian members.

Arthur Swaby formed the Society using Your Garden as the venue, in 1956. A
staunch member of the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria he saw the need for a society
of people especially concerned with the cultivation of our Australian Flora and its
horticultural development. The response to his initial urging was enthusiastic leading to
the Society as it is today of more than 10,000 members from all areas of this unique
continent.

May he rest in peace, a life well spent, the Society being a continuing testamonial
to a fine Australian.

Australian Native Plants by A. M. Blombery Price $15.95, plus 55c postage.

When | received this new edition of the book by Alec Blombery | dug out my
copy of its first printing in 1955. Knowledge of Australia’s wildflowers has come a
long way since those days. The book has grown from 100 pages to 480 pages. Then
Alec had the knack of presenting his wide knowledge in such clear terms he inspired
many thousands of people to try and propagate and grow a few wildflowers. This new,
completely revised edition illustrates how much we have learnt about wildflowers and
their cultivation in the last 25 years, especially Alec Blombery. Butl Alec, as always, is
so generous with the knowledge that he gains from careful observation, study and
shrewd deduction. A lifetime of experience by one of Australia’s leading wildflower
horticulturalists is contained in this book, written in a clear, simple, but accurate style
that Alec himself calls the commonsense approach. —Editor.

Page 239—Vol. 10



@@@ 44 @@@



NINDETHANA SEED SERVICE

LARGEST SELECTION OF RATIVE SEED IN AUSTRALIA

SEND 20¢ STAMP FOR FREE CATALOGUE AVAILABLE IN 50¢ pkts, gram lots or kgs.

ADDRESS: NINDETHANA, NARRIKUP, W.A, 627§

BODDY’'S — EASTERN PARK NURSERY NATIVES

Large range of popular and rare varieties in tubes. S.A.E. for Catalogue.
Specialists in despatch.
Lot 2, Farm Road, Cheltenham, 3192
Phone (03) 550-5987; A/H 509-2804

newcasie  NORTHRIDGE  COTTAGE

REGION
NATIVE PLANT NURSERY (049) 87-2397
RANGERS ROAD RAYMOND TERRACE, 2324
on the Western Shore of the Grahamstown Dam
Turn East off The Pacific Hwy. 4 km North of the Town

‘“SEEDS OF THE WORLD"

BOOKS ON NATIVE PLANTS Indigenous and Exotic Seeds
 iRe BaETN EEm R P.0. Box 1037, East Nowra, NSW 2540
FOR LIST TO e 1,200 varieties of unusual native seeds,
palm seeds and exotic seeds from all

Gatton Newsagency & Bookshop over the world.

Railway Street, Gatton, Q. 4343 Available in $1 packs. :
Send $1 to cover list and postage, this
Phone: (075) 62-1057 entitles sender to a free $1 bonus pack

on first order.

WIRREANDA Wholesale Nursery

QUALITY—VARIETY—VALUE

Over 20.000 Native and Exotic

Trees, Shrubs & Indoor Plants

Public and Trade Welcome

Open 7 days — Send S.A.E. For List

169 Wirreanda Road, Ingleside, 2101. Phons 450-1400

MAGAZINES, BOOKS, BROCHURES, CATALOGUES,
PRICE LISTS, OFFICE STATIONERY AND
ADVERTISING LITERATURE

* Consistent Quality and Service
with reasonable cost, will remove
most of your problems.

SURREY BEATTY & SONS PTY. LTD.

43 Rickard Road, Chipping Norton, N.S.W. 2170
Telephone (02) 602-7404, 602-3126

Page 240—Vol. 10



@@@ 45 @@@



MOLYNEUX NURSERIES Pty Ltd

8 Belfast Road, Montrose, 3765. Phone: 728-1353
§ trading as AUSTRAFLORA NURSERY

Open 7 Days a Week
MON.-SAT., 9 a.m.-5.30 p.m.; SUNDAY, 10 a.m.-5.30 p.m.

The widest range of Australian Plants is also available
through our Agencies

ADELAIDE: CANBERRA:

Lawry’s Native Nursery Rodney’s Nursery

Star and Arrow Road 24 Beltana Road

COROMANDEL, EAST. PIALLIGO, A.C.T.

Phone: (08) 388-2118. Phone: (062) 73-2635.

SYDNEY: WERRIBEE:

Yallaroo Gardens Grevillea Nursery

R.M.B. 5179 Wattle Tree Road Derrimut Road

HOLGATE Via GOSFORD. WERRIBEE.

Phone: (043) 67-7023. Phone: (03) 741-3100.
WODONGA:

Mann's of Wodonga Garden Centre
116-126 High Street WODONGA.
Phone: (060) 24-1066.

AUSTRAFLORA IS AUSTRALIAN PLANTS

Generally 150-200 species available, many rare
Open Wed. to Sun. 10am to 5pm and by arrangement.

Cedar Wattles Native Plants
89 BLUES POINT RD. NORTH SYDNEY. PHONE 929-6583

DEANES ORCHID NURSERY

Speclallsing In Australlan Natlve Orchlds
Please send for descriptive list. Plants sent anywhere.
Nursery open every weekend — Weekdays phone (02) 651-1798
29 HEMERS ROAD, DURAL, N.S.W. 2119

CATALOGUE AUSTRALIAN
A FOREST NATIVE PLANTS FOR

N.S.W. GARDENS

. NATlVE $3.50 posted

by i . N.S.W.
B NURSERY oo ouye oo Nsw 2om
LAKKARI  [USSELL ong SHATON COSTIN, Fetal & Wholosal

Creepers — Also Ferns, Palms, Cycads, Indoor Plants
NATIVE PLANT Specialists in Honey Flora

NURSERY Many selected Natives ique to Qu land as well
as new cultivars and hybrids.

(Lakkari means Banksla 477 REDLAND BAY ROAD. CAPALABA, QLD. 4157

Integrifolia) Open 6 days (closed Sat. only) — Ph: Bris. 206-4119

CLEARVIEW NURSERY, W. Cane, Box 19, Maffra, Vic. 3860. Specialist in developed plants

TASMANIAN FOREST SEEDS e —
. T. WALDUCK
AN "Tasmanian " Tro Species and. advertising in

Ornamental Shrubs.

Send S.A.E. for free llst. AUSTRALIAN PLANTS

Sales by packet or In bulk

Page 241—Vol. 10



@@@ 46 @@@



PRESERVATION BY CULTIVATION

Fl.ORAILANDS

KARIONG, vla GOSFORD, N.S.W. 2250 — Prop. Brlan & Lyn Parry

A large varlety of the most
PHONE: Gosford 40-1142

Closed Tuesdays

popular native plants at nursery
Send $1.50 for descriptive catalogue.

UTINGU NATIVE PLANT NURSERY
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
Suppliers of: TREES, SHRUBS,

GROUNDCOVERS, FERNS AND
HANGING BASKETS.
4121

37 Sorbiston Street, Wellers Hill,
Open 7 days—Phone: (07) 397-5706

LANDSCAPING WITH AUSTRALIAN
NATIVE PLANTS
b

BANKSIA NURSERIES P/L

Waratah Highway, Elliott,

BELBRA NURSERY
In the heart of the Gramplans
LARGE RANGE OF AUSTRALIAN
NATIVES
Closed Wednesday only
BOX 12, HALL'S GAP, VIC. 3381

Tasmania, 7325

Grower of rare and more common
Australian Native Plants. Available in
most sizes at certain times of year,
advanced and tube lines a specialty.
Send S.A.E. for list
Open 7 days a week, 9-5

Phcne (004) 36-3128

MICHIE’'S KENTLYN NATIVE
PLANT NURSERY

Speclallsing In Australlan Plants
Beth & Bob Michle Invite you to call
96c George's River Road, Kentlyn, 2560

Phone: Campbelltown 25-1583

Closed Tuesday and Wednesday only

Cranebrook Native Nursery
R23 Cranebrook Rd., Cranebrook, NSW

4 miles north of Penrith, between
Tadmore and Taylor Rds.

Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sundays.
(047) 77 4256 No Mail Orders

CLOVERDALE

57 CLOVERDALE ROAD, DOOLANDELLA, 4077 (D. HANGER)

QUEENSLAND
NATIVE PLANTS Cryptoca
5 = Guilfoylia
including: archeriana,

Cryptocarya
m

Hakea fraseri,

Microcitrus australis.

PARK NURSERY

Kunzea flavescens, Buckinghamia celsissima,
laevigata v. Bowei, Ervatamia angustisepala,
onostylis, Jasminum volubile, Lagerstroemia

DAVID & MARGARET'S NATIVE FLORA
We have thousands of plants for your
selection. Set amidst acres of land-
scaped garden areas. Located two
miles past Woori Yallock at Braeside
Drive Launching Place, Vic.
(059) 64-7631, THURS. to SUN.
(Established 1974)

WIRRIMBIRRA

Hume HIighway, between Tahmoor and
Bargo, N.S.W. 2574

AUSTRALIAN PLANTS

Wide Range — Phone: Bargo 84-1112
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

COLLECTORS N URSE RI ES

JaldZA Australis

NATIVE PLANT SPECIALIST
KEVIN REED
Cnr BELLEVUE CRES and SEAFORD RD SEAFORD  V/|¢. 3198

Huge selectlon from ground
cover to trees, rare and the
common, slzes large or small

Open Saturday and Sunday
(Closed Mon. and Tues.)

NANGANA NATIVE PLANT NURSERY
COCKGATOO-WOORI YALLOCK ROAD

.4 km from Cockatoo, Vic.
Large range,
cm to bucket size)

PHONE (059) 68-8337

Open every day except Tues. and Wed.

(also closed June and July)

including over 100 Grevilleas

GRASSTREE
NATIVE PLANT NURSERY
BROWN'S RD., ROSEBUD SOUTH, 3939
(Opposite Hyslops Rd.)

10 a.m. to 5p.m. — Wed. to Sun. Ino.
Over 1000 Specles In Propagation.

Nursery In Natural Bushland Setting.

FAIRHILL NU

the sub-tropical
sale are growing in our

FAIRHILL ROAD, YANDINA, QLD. 4561

Phone (071) 46-7193 — P.0. Box 100
Trees, shrubs, ground covers, climbers, ferns, palms and orchids for
and tropical east coast.

to brouse through at any time between 8.30 a.m.
day but Christmas day. Catalogue $1.50 posted. Wholesale & Retail.

Growers of
Australian Native Plants

RSERIES

€ [ Most species offered for
extensive display gardens. You are welcome
and 5 p.m. any

Page 242—Vol.

10



@@@ 47 @@@



Past Issues of ‘*Australian Plants’’ Available

Because of the vast wealth of our flora there is very little repetition, each volume
becoming a valuable reference book in itself. Each volume has a separate abridged
index, but a composite index for volumes 1-8 incl. will be available shortly as a separate
book from the Editor for $2.00 including postage.

It is intended to maintain all volumes in print in bound hard-cover form, beautifully
presented with gold-lettered green vinyl covering. ~Each volume has bound with it
another Society book as indicated below and is available for $15 plus 50c per vol.

VOLUME No. 1. Issues 1-12 — to be reprinted in 1980. Watch for announcements.
VOLUME No. 2. Issues 13-20, no longer avallable—to be reprinted in 1981.
VOLUME No. 3. Issues 21-28, bound with ‘'Catalogue of Cultivated Australian Plants’.
VOLUME No. 4. Issues 29-36, unavailable for 6 months until more coples are bound.
VOLUME No. 5. Issues 37-44, bound with “The Language of Botany’'.

VOLUME No. 6. Issues 45-52, with ‘‘West. Aust. Plants for Hortlculture—Part .
VOLUME No. 7. Issues 53-60, bound with ““North Australian Plants’’

VOLUME No. 8. Issues 61-68, bound with “The Cradle of Incense’".

VOLUME No. 9. Issues 69-76. Bound with Aust. Plant Names in March, 1980.

VOLUME No. 10. Issues 77-84. Each issue to date available at $1.00 post tree.

Other Books Published by the Society:

“AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS ORCHIDS"”, by A. W. Dockrill, $30.00 including postage.
The only complete reference to Australian epiphytic orchlds and tropical terrestrials.

““WEST AUSTRALIAN PLANTS", ‘A descriptive catalogue’ by Dr. J. S. Beard, $7.50 plus
60c postage. The only complete reference to the flora of Western Australia.

“"WEST AUSTRALIAN PLANTS FOR HORTICULTURE", Parts 1 & 2, by K. Newby, each
$7.50 plus 60c postage. A valuable guide to the olants with horticultural potential.

“NORTH AUSTRALIAN PLANTS”, by Jenny Harmer, $7.50 plus 60c postage. The most
comprehensive reference to plants of the Darwin area available.

““CRADE OF INCENSE', ‘The Genus Prostanthera’ by G. W. Althofer, $15.00 plus 60c
postage. The only reference to our Mint Bushes.

“THE LANGUAGE OF BOTANY"”, by C. N. Debenham, $6.00 plus 60c postage. An
outstanding reference to botamcal terms, with examples from Australian flora.

“AUSTRALIAN PLANT INDEX—Vols. 1-8"". A comprehensive index to all species, authors,
etc. $2.00 including postage. Please excuse delays. Should be available shortly.

A HORTICULTURAL GUIDE TO AUSTRALIAN PLANTS"” — Large colour plates of
species with information on the rear, for filing in a ring Binder. Sets 3-6 (32 sheets
each set) @ $3 per Set. (Sets 1 & 2 out of stock). Special Binders (hold approx.
160 sheets) @ $3 each. All prices include postage.

“ACACIAS OF NEW SOUTH WALES”, bv | Armitaae. All N.S.W. wattles described and
illustrated by sketches and colour. $7.50 plus 75c postage.

The Society for Growing Australian Plants

The Society is for people interested in the Australian flora, its preservation and
cultivation in the wild, in parks, and in public and private gardens. Preservation of our
magnificent flora will, in the long term, depend on the knowledge accumulated, on its
cultivation under a wide range of conditions. We hope to learn more about this by
cultivating wildflowers in the garden, encouraging research on this aspect, and to
record this in “‘Australian Plants’.

The Society offers many services in all States, such as meetings, instruction, shows,
field outings, seed, propagating aids and friendship, much on a mail basis for those
who cannot or do not wish to attend meetings.

Enquiries for membership should be directed to:

SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—N.S.W. REGION:
President: Mr. Hugh Stacy 16 Boovong Avenue, Lugarno, N.S.W., 2210.
Secretary: Mr. Ray Page, P.0. Box 298, Riverwood, 2210.
SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—QUEENSLAND REGION:
President: Mr. L. Smith, Lot 29, Vores Road, Petrie, 4502.
Secretary: Mrs. R. Reid, P.O. Box 809, Fortitude Valley, Qld., 4006.
SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGION (Inc.):
President: Mr. P. McEntree, 12 Grafton Street, Belaire, 5052
Secretary: Wyn M. Spier, Box 166, Willunga, 5172.
SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—TASMANIAN REGION:
President: Mrs. Sib Corbett, 35 Pillinger Drlve, Fern Tree, Tas. 7101.
Secretary: Mrs. Chris Howells, ‘“Gwastadnant,”” Sandfly, Tas. 7104.
SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—VICTORIAN REGION:
President: Mr. R. G. McDonald, P.O. Box 9, Upper Ferntree Gully, Vic., 3156.
Secretary: (Sister) E. R. Bowman, 4 Homebush Crescent, Hawthorn East, Victoria,
3123. Please do not call at private home—enquiries by telephone or mail only.
SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—CANBERRA REGION
PreS|dent David McKenzie, 46 Cockle Street, O'Connor, 2601.
Secretary: Wendy Davidson, 28 Pambula Street, Kaleen, 2617.
WEST AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWER SOC. (Inc.):
President: Dr. N. Marchant, P.O. Box 64, Nedlands, W.A., 6009.
Secretary: Miss B. Britton, P.O. Box 64, Nedlands, W.A., 86009.

“AUSTRALIAN PLANTS” IS AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL PRESERVATION JOURNAL
(A non-profit making venture, produced quarterly, dedicated to preservation by cultivation)

PUBLISHING SECTION FOR SCCIETIES—Produced as a non-profit venture.
Managing Editor: W. H. Payne, assisted by P. D. Leak, N. Page, B. Kennedy, N.
Smith and H. Jones. Do not telephone or call at private home—enquiries by mail only.
NON-MEMBERS: You may receive the next 4 issues direct to your home by
forwarding an annual subscription of $3.00. Overseas subscrlptlon $4.20 Aust.. ¥2.8u
in English currency or $6.50 U.S. Send to The Editor, "‘Australian Plants’, 860 Henry
Lawson Drive, Picnic Point, N.S.W., 2213.

COPYRIGHT — AIl material copyright as directed by authors.
Page 243—Vol. 10



@@@ 48 @@@



Photography by K. R. Oliver

Anigozanthos manglesii x A. flavidus

Hybrids developed by K. R. Oliver, as described in our No. 46 issue,
page 60. Plants are variable in height and other characteristics, having from
two to eight flowering heads or their branched stems. The diploid appears
to be completely sterile. Individual plants are variable in their susceptibility
to ink disease but are generally susceptible except for a few plants. Tetraploid
plant seed germinates readily and the plants are quite vigorous with a branch-
ed in florescence of up to 1.5 metres or more tall, the individual flowers being
only slightly smaller than those of A. manglesii in some cases.

Printed by Surrey Beatty & Sons — 602-7404.