Bat Flower (Tacca integrifolia) This spectacularly bizarre and unusual whiskered flower opens on 30cm stalks among heavily veined leaves. Lush and tropical looking it makes a sensational talking point when its in flower during the late summer months. Excellent indoors. They have deep purple-brown, almost black trumpet flowers with large top petals that look like the wings of a bat and a profusion of whiskers that spill down 40cm long out of the central flower.
Care Because they come from the tropics of SE Asia and Africa, the Bat Flower needs protection indoors, or a glass house or sheltered courtyard in temperate climates. It grows happily in warm shade in coastal parts of Sydney and the Central Coast. Give them tepid water in hot dry weather and allow them to dry out almost totally in winter. Once the growth starts in spring, repot into fresh quality potting mix. A winter minimum temperature of 13 degrees centigrade is required for best health.
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