Tacca leontopetaloides – Fimbriate Batflower
Tacca leontopetaloides, the fimbriate batflower, is one of the most extraordinary tropical tuberous plants from the Dioscoreaceae family. It is primarily known as the source of Polynesian arrowroot – starch extracted from its tubers – and for its astonishing inflorescence with long, thread-like "whiskers," which gives it a resemblance to the famous "bat flowers."
Synonyms and Nomenclature
The species was described by Kuntze (1891), with its basionym being Leontice leontopetaloides L. (1753). The Kew POWO database lists about 33 synonyms for it; the most important include:
- Leontice leontopetaloides L. (basionym)
- Tacca pinnatifida J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
- Tacca pinnatifida Gaertn.
- Tacca involucrata Schumach. & Thonn.
- Tacca sativa Rumph. ex Reider
- Tacca hawaiiensis H.Limpr.
- Tacca oceanica Seem.
- Tacca artocarpifolia Seem.
- Tacca madagascariensis Bojer
- Tacca quanzensis Welw.
- Arum gracile Roxb.
- Chaitaea tacca Sol. ex Seem.
In English, the plant is known as "Polynesian arrowroot," "East Indian arrowroot," "Fiji/Tahiti arrowroot," and "batflower," while in Pacific languages it is called pia, masoa, mahoaʻa, yabia, and gapgap; the Polish name is fimbriate batflower.
Origin and Appearance
The species originates from a vast area of the Old World tropics and the Pacific – from tropical Africa and Madagascar through India and Southeast Asia to northern Australia and numerous islands of Oceania. Such a wide range is partly due to the deliberate spread of the plant by Austronesian sailors as a "canoe plant."
It is a geophytic perennial growing 0.5–1.5 m tall, dying back in the dry season to an underground, starch-rich tuber. The single leaves are huge, deeply palmately and pinnately lobed, borne on long, grooved petioles. The inflorescence is an umbel on a tall scape, surrounded by leafy bracts, with numerous hanging, thread-like bracteoles 10–20 cm long. The fruit is a fleshy, ribbed berry containing many seeds.
Frost Resistance and Cultivation
Krąpiel is a strictly tropical, frost-sensitive plant, adapted to USDA zones 10–11; it is damaged by temperatures below about 15°C. In temperate climates, it is grown in a pot, in a warm, humid, and sheltered place with diffused light. In summer, it prefers warmth and high humidity, while in winter its tuber goes dormant – during this time, it is kept warm and almost dry.
Cultivation from Seeds
Seeds are soaked for 24–72 hours in warm water before sowing, then sown shallowly (2–4 mm) in a light, humus-rich, well-draining substrate kept consistently moist. High temperature (25–30°C) and humidity are crucial – ideally in a covered mini-greenhouse. Germination is slow and uneven, usually lasting from 1 to 9 months, so do not give up on cultivation too early.
Safety and Uses
Raw tubers contain bitter, slightly toxic compounds, so traditionally they are rinsed multiple times before consumption to obtain pure, white starch – Polynesian arrowroot used for puddings and desserts (e.g., Hawaiian haupia). The plant has also been a source of glue and natural stiffener. In our offer, it is primarily an extraordinary ornamental and collector’s plant.
Interesting Facts
Krąpiel pierzastodzielna is a classic “travel plant” of the old Pacific – Austronesian sailors transported its tubers in canoes as a reliable, “emergency” starch source on remote atolls. Its bizarre inflorescence with long “whiskers” reveals its relation to the famous bat flowers (Tacca chantrieri, T. integrifolia).
Summary
Tacca leontopetaloides is a plant for patient exotic collectors – rewarding with large, sculpted leaves and one of the strangest inflorescences among monocots. It requires tropical warmth, moisture, and patience during slow germination, but the result is truly extraordinary.
