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Dioscoreaceae
Bat Flower
Tacca chantrieri
Mystery and the unknown.
- Family
- Dioscoreaceae
- Genus
- Tacca
- Native to
- Southeast Asia
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 1-3 ft
- Sunlight
- part shade to full shade
- Soil
- moist, rich, acidic
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- 10-12
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The bat flower produces one of the few naturally black flowers, with dramatic wing-like bracts and long trailing whiskers.
- The whisker-like bracteoles can reach up to 28 inches long, among the longest of any flower structure.
- Despite its sinister appearance, the plant is pollinated by ordinary flies attracted to the slightly fetid scent.
- In Chinese traditional medicine, the rhizome is used to treat gastric ulcers and high blood pressure.
- The species name 'chantrieri' honors the French nursery Chantrier Freres, which first cultivated it in Europe.
Color meanings
0
mystery
1
darkness
2
uniqueness