Tacca integrifolia – White Bat Flower
Tacca integrifolia, known as the white bat flower, is one of the most extraordinary and recognizable plants in the world. It belongs to the Dioscoreaceae family and originates from the understory of humid tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia – from Bhutan, the Eastern Himalayas, and India, through Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. In nature, it grows in the shade of the understory, with consistently high humidity and warmth, in hilly areas.
Synonyms and Nomenclature
The species was described by Ker Gawler. The POWO database lists several synonyms; the most commonly encountered by suppliers and in literature include:
- Ataccia integrifolia (Ker Gawl.) J.Presl
- Ataccia aspera (Roxb.) Kunth
- Tacca aspera Roxb.
- Tacca laevis Roxb.
- Tacca lancifolia Zoll. & Moritzi
The form with white bracts is sometimes sold as Tacca integrifolia 'Nivea' (formerly Tacca nivea). In English, the species is known as white bat flower, bat head lily, cat's whiskers, or devil flower; the Polish name is krąpiel całolistna, and it is also referred to as "bat flower" or "bat plant." Previously, the genus Tacca was placed in its own family, Taccaceae.
Botanical Description and Appearance
This is a rhizomatous, clumping perennial usually reaching 60 to 120 centimeters in height, sometimes more under optimal greenhouse conditions. The leaves are large, entire (hence the epithet integrifolia – entire-leaved), oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, dark green and glossy, borne on long petioles. However, it is the inflorescence that makes this plant a true collector’s gem.
The striking "bat flower" consists of two large, upright bracts resembling outstretched wings or bat ears – in this species, white to creamy with purple-violet veining, spanning up to 20–30 cm. Numerous threadlike bracteoles, called "whiskers," hang beneath the inflorescence; they are long and purple-violet, typically reaching about 25–30 centimeters. The actual flowers are small, clustered, dark purple to nearly black, and bloom mainly in summer, with the possibility of repeating during the season under good care.
Temperature Requirements and Location
Tacca integrifolia is a strictly tropical plant and completely frost-sensitive. It requires temperatures consistently above about 13–15°C, with an optimal growth range of 21–27°C. It corresponds to USDA zone 11, which in temperate climates means cultivation only under cover. A key factor is a semi-shaded to shaded location with diffused light – direct sunlight, especially in heat, scorches the leaves. The species also poorly tolerates cold drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations.
Cultivation in Temperate Climates
Under European conditions, the species is grown exclusively indoors, in a winter garden, greenhouse, or a humid terrarium or paludarium. It requires high air humidity, preferably above 50–60%, which is provided by misting, trays with moist expanded clay, or a humidifier, while maintaining good air circulation – the latter is important in preventing fungal diseases to which the plant can be susceptible.
The substrate should be permeable, humus-rich, and slightly acidic – orchid mixes with added bark and perlite work well – kept constantly slightly moist but never waterlogged. The plant is sensitive both to drying out and to rhizome rot, so moisture balance is key here. In winter, watering is reduced, always maintaining warmth.
Cultivation from seeds
Propagation from seeds is demanding and requires patience. Germination can be long and uneven – typically from 2 to 6 months, sometimes longer. A high and constant substrate temperature of about 25–30°C is necessary, maintaining constant moisture under cover, and using fresh, clean sowing substrate. Seeds are sown shallowly (a few millimeters) and it is best to use fresh material – stored and dried seeds germinate poorly or not at all. Soaking them for a day in warm water can help, and seedlings require protection from damping-off.
Uses and for whom
Tacca integrifolia is a collector’s and “showy” plant, valued for its extraordinary, exotic flower – a strong decorative accent for interiors, winter gardens, and large terrariums or paludariums. It is one of those species that immediately catch the eye and often become a topic of conversation. Due to its high humidity and temperature requirements, sensitivity to overwatering, and capricious germination, it is recommended for experienced rare plant enthusiasts who have conditions to maintain constant warmth and high humidity.
Interesting facts
The name “bat flower” comes from the shape of the inflorescence: two raised bracts look like outstretched wings, and the hanging dark threads resemble whiskers. The thread-like bracts of this species are among the longest such structures in the plant world. The dark color and slight, faint scent of the flowers gave rise to the popular hypothesis of pollination by flies, but studies on the genus Tacca indicate that these plants are largely self-pollinating – so the colorful theory about “carrion pollinators” remains at least doubtful.
Summary
The white bat flower is one of the most spectacular rarities among shade-loving plants. It combines an extraordinary, “bat-like” inflorescence with long, purple “whiskers” and shiny, entire leaves. It requires constant warmth, high humidity, and shade, and propagation from seeds can be a test of patience – but for an experienced collector with the right conditions, it is one of the most satisfying and recognizable plants in the collection.
