In some books the Anigozanthos are called "sword-like" or "iris-like" but in fact they are a genus of plants in the Haemodoraceae, a family which is represented by 13 genera, primarily restricted to the southern hemisphere (Lophiloa - a small perennial bog plant is found in the eastern USA). There are 11 species of Anigozanthos, or Kangaroo Paws as they are commonly called, that are restricted to the southwest corner of Western Australia. They are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with flat strap-shaped leaves that are folded at the midrib. The bird pollinated flowers are tubular and split lengthwise with the 6 lobed "claws" being on the upper side of the flower. Often theses flowers are brilliantly colored and are sometimes clothed by contrasting colored hairs.