Family Haemodoraceae
Synonyms: Conostylidaceae APNI*
Description: Perennial herbs, rhizomatous, bulbous [or tuberous].
Leaves mainly basal, equitant, base sheathing, stem leaves smaller or absent, longitudinal veins numerous; stipules lacking.
Inflorescence a panicle, raceme, cyme, or often a number of cymes arranged racemosely, or rarely flowers solitary. Flowers actinomorphic [or zygomorphic], 3-merous, bisexual. Tepals 6, in 1 or 2 whorls, free or basally fused into a long or short tube. Stamens 3 or 6; filaments free or fused to perianth tube; anthers basifixed [or peltate], 2-locular, dehiscing by longitudinal slits. Ovary inferior, [or half-inferior or superior], 3-locular; ovules 1–many per loculus; stigma sessile minutely 3-lobed.
Fruit a capsule [or nut-like]; seeds 1–many.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 14 genera, c. 100 species, chiefly Australia & southern Africa, also Malesia & America. Australia: 7 genera, 84 species, Qld, N.S.W., W.A. (c. 80 species endemic to SW W.A.).
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Haemodoraceae, Order: Commelinales)
Wikipedia Many species of Kangaroo Paw ( genera Anigozanthos and Macropidia) are of considerable horticultural importance for gardens and cut-flower production.
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
Taxa not yet included in identification key
Anigozanthos,
Haemodorum
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