A very likable bat (plant)

Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 12:27:33 PM

Whiskers are really modified leaves as are the "wings" of
the bat.

Here’s a reason to celebrate: the bat-plant is flowering.

Its upright white bracts hover like wings above a cluster of flowers draped with long whiskers (really

The white bat-plant with
one of its flowers open.

bracteoles or little bracts that are modified leaves). The whiskers remind me of drawings of the wispy beards of Chinese elders, but for most people, they resemble cats’ whiskers. The flowers’ anthers and stamens are packed in a perianth, which is the name for the fused sepals and petals that surround them like cups. They are deep purple, almost black, in contrast to the white lofty wings, making this “flower” one of the most intriguing and captivating that I grow.

Tacca integrifolia, the white bat-plant, has opened one flower this week, and another bud is promising. Its six bright green leaves are long and somewhat oval, with deeply etched veins, giving them a rippled look. Tacca chantrieri is the black bat-plant.

I grow my bat plant in a container. It grows on an upright rhizome, with leaves emerging from the top and roots sprouting from around the tuber. It is in shade, but in midsummer receives a few dollops of sun through the palm fronds when the sun is overhead. I give it Dynamite 13-13-13, along with an occasional drink of fish emulsion and a sprinkle of regular palm fertilizer. Bat-plants, which are from tropical rainforests, are cold sensitive. They like less water in winter than summer. Finding the right conditions for them is more than rewarding.

7 comments - Add a comment

I'd love to see this interesting blossom, is it anywhere at Fairchild?

posted by Mary Brenner, Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 5:08 PM

We have it in our conservatory.

posted by Mary, Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 7:50 PM

We just saw this yesterday in bloom at Selby Gardens, Sarasota! What an intriguing bloom!! It just completly stopped you in your tracks!

posted by Cynthia Larson, Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 4:29 PM

I just "ran into it" at Fairchild this morning and it did indeed stop me in my tracks.
In the Rare Plant Conservancy leave the Chiully Glass Tower to your left and follow path straight back... to the right down low you'll see this "wiskered" plant in black with another across the path. The one to the right is particulary showy right now..this minute!!!!

posted by Susanna, Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM

We have a photo of one of these in our shop. A local artist took the pic but had no idea what the name of the plant was... Its beautiful!! i have been searching online for a pic of this plant so I could put a name to it. He came across it while out taking photos. He lives in Hawaii. Thanks for all the great info..I can now tell people in our shop what it is!!! Aloah

posted by Cindy, Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 3:06 PM

I purchased one of these yesterday. Couldn't leave the nursery without it.

posted by Kathy, Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 2:33 AM

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Georgia Tasker

Georgia Tasker was the garden writer for The Miami Herald for over 30 years and has written three books on gardening. Her blog is a must read for any gardener.