What is "kangaroo paw"

n. Any of various perennial flowering plants of the family ''Haemodoraceae'', endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.

n. sedgelike spring-flowering herb having clustered flowers covered with woolly hairs; Australia [syn: kangaroo's-foot, kangaroo-foot plant, Australian sword lily, Anigozanthus manglesii]

Kangaroo paw is the common name for a number of species, in two genera of the family Haemodoraceae, that are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. These perennial plants are noted for their unique bird attracting flowers. The tubular flowers are coated with dense hairs and open at the apex with six claw-like structures: from this paw formation the common name "kangaroo paw" is derived.

The plant was named after the shape of the flowers, which resemble to the paws of a kangaroo. The kangaroo plant has been introduced into Japan and has been grown as a new ornamental crop mainly in Okinawa Island under a subtropical climate.