James Burghardt
Family
Taccaceae
Botanical Name
Tacca chantrieri
Plant Common Name
Batflower, Black Batflower
General Description
The large rippled leaves and outlandish blooms of black bat flower are a unique presence in the tropical garden or greenhouse. A tender semi-evergreen perennial that grows from an underground tuber, it is native to Thailand. Clumps of dark glossy-green lance-shaped leaves on long erect or arching petioles give rise to tall flower stalks. Clusters of maroon-black, cup-shaped flowers nod at their tips, made even more sinister by their wing-like basal bracts and spidery thread-like appendages. Sporadic flowering occurs year-round in warm moist conditions.
Grow black bat flower in fertile, moist, well-drained, warm soil with abundant organic matter. It does best in bright shade. Non-acidic soils cause yellow leaves. It is evergreen in warm moist climates, but goes dormant where seasonally cool or dry conditions prevail. Mulching is highly recommended. Flower stalks may be staked to best display the blossoms. It makes a peculiar and unique plant for a massed shady groundcover or a container.
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Groundcover, Houseplant, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
