Tacca chantrieri (Black Bat Flower) is a popular plant that is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of southern Asia. The Black Bat Flower is mainly grown for its exotic and unusual black flowers that are shaped like a bat. It enjoys warm climates, a shady location where it can flower all year round. The rhizomes are also highly medicinal and are used in both traditional and modern medicines.
Suitable for Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates and is not tolerant of frost.
Tacca chantrieri is also sometimes called the Devil’s Flower or Cat’s Whiskers.
The Black Bat Flower is natively found in the Asian countries of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Southern China, Hainan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
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Growth
Tacca chantrieri is a tropical evergreen plant that grows to a maximum height of around 90cm (36 inches) by a width of up to 120cm (4 feet). Black Bat Flowers enjoy warm, tropical climates that maintain a consistent temperature above 15°C / 62°F. In their natural habitat, they thrive in the forest undergrowth where they are protected from the hot sun.
In cooler climates they can be grown indoors or in a greenhouse where they can be protected from low temperatures or periods of frost. For all environments, keep them in a shady, warm position where they receive filtered sunlight at most.
If grown in ideal conditions, flowering can occur during the second growing season or once the plant reaches around 18-24 months. In warm climates, it is possible to see up to eight blooming periods per year.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
For additional information visit our Growers Notes page or the list of the best gardening websites or check out the article about how to use your waste at home as a natural fertiliser.
FAMILY:
Dioscoreaceae
CLIMATE:
Sub-Tropical and Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10 to 35°C / 50 to 95°F.
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Shade or Part-Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 90cm (36 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 120cm (4 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium.
POLLINATION:
Autonomous Self Pollinating
MATURITY:
18-24 months
GERMINATION RATES:
60-75%
GERMINATION TIME:
4-8 weeks at 20-25°C / 68-77°F.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 40
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage – 4°C (Fridge) 2 years
FACTS ABOUT TACCA CHANTRIERI (Black Bat Flower)
Tacca chantrieri is well suited to a Brisbane climate as there are many specimens growing on council operated lands around the city. They are also highly sought after in Melbourne where nurseries sell them as indoor plants due to winter frosts.
In Chinese medicine, the rhizomes of Black Bat flower plants are used for a range of ailments that include high blood pressure, burns, hepatitis and ulcers. Some of the compounds within these rhizomes are commonly used within the pharmaceutical industry. One of the compounds, Taccalonolides are suggested as having anti-cancer properties but thorough research has yet to be conducted.
The Black Bat Flower is unique in that its pollination method is mostly autonomous self pollinating.
Flowers of Tacca chantrieri can grow to a maximum size of up to 30cm (12 inches) and although they are usually black in colour they can also be purple, dark brown or even green.
