Bat Plant (Tacca Chantrieri) Bat Lilly Plant

Tacca chantrieri, also known as the black bat flower, is a unique and fascinating plant that is native to Southeast Asia. It is a member of the yam family, and is prized for its distinctive, bat-shaped black flowers.

The plant typically grows to a height of about 60-90cm, with large, green leaves that can reach up to 60cm in length. The flowers themselves are quite striking, with a large, ruffled, black bract that resembles the wings of a bat, and long, slender, purple-black whiskers that extend from the center of the bract, giving the flower the appearance of a bat in flight.

Tacca chantrieri is a tropical plant that requires warm, humid conditions to thrive. It prefers a well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter, and benefits from regular watering and fertilization during the growing season. The plant can be grown in a pot, either indoors or outdoors in a sheltered location, or in a shaded area in the garden.

While Tacca chantrieri can be challenging to grow, it is a rewarding plant for experienced gardeners and collectors who appreciate its unique and striking appearance. It is also used in traditional medicine in some cultures, where the tubers are believed to have healing properties.