Tacca integrifolia (White Bat Flower) is an exotic flowering plant that is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of southern Asia. The White Bat Flower is an indoor or shade plant that produces large white flowers that look like bats.
Suitable for Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates and is not tolerant of frost.
Tacca integrifolia is also sometimes called the Black Lily and is native to warm tropical regions of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and China. It is one of ten species of the Tacca genus which also includes the Black Bat Flower.
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Growth
Tacca integrifolia is a herbaceous perennial evergreen that grows to a maximum height of 1 metre (3 feet) by a width of about 120cm (4 feet). White Bat flowers are native to tropical forest floors and thrive in moist, warm and shady locations. They are susceptible to heavy damage during frosts, droughts and in harsh direct sunlight.
White Bat flowers grow from a rhizome base that reaches 12cm (5 inches) in length and when mature produces long flower scapes up to 55cm (22 inches) that support the large blooms. These blooms can occur all year round in warm climates and during Summer in cooler locations.
If grown in warm conditions that range from 10 to 35°C / 50 to 95°F, plants can thrive and start to produce flowers in around 18-24 months.
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 1m (3 feet)
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:
55-75%
GERMINATION TIME:
4-8 weeks.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 40
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage – 4°C (Fridge) 2 years
FACTS ABOUT TACCA INTEGRIFOLIA (White Bat Flower)
Tacca integrifolia is a popular houseplant in temperate climates but is less tolerant of cold weather than its relative, Tacca chantrieri (Black Bat Flower). It is common to see the Black Bat variety in Melbourne nurseries but not the White Bats. They are more likely to be sold in nurseries in Brisbane and Perth.
In their native habitat, White Bat Flowers that grow in hilly areas tend to be larger than those that grow elsewhere.
White Bat Flowers produce a small (2cm/half an inch) dull-coloured fruit that has a soft jelly-like pulp which is dispersed by small mammals and rodents.
Across the Malaysian Peninsula, it is said that the leaves are used as a substitute for cigarette papers.
