Tacca integrifolia, the white flowering tacca
The 'Bat' |
Why bat plant? the large white 'ears' maybe? or white wings? not sure what the long filaments have to do with a bat, but as usual, talk to people about a tacca and they look at your with a blank stare. Say, "uh,I meant bat plant", and they knowingly nod thinking there was a momentary lapse into insanity.
Morning Light |
Here in Central Florida, this plant does well in semi-shade, planted in moist humus-rich garden soil. It seems to be happy with its neighbor Farfugium japonicum.
I tried to grow the black flowering tacca with no success even though it is said to easier to grow then the white tacca.
in bud |
Taccas flower in late summer through fall and one can find them for sale in the box stores around Halloween. I recommend getting the largest plant you can find and afford, the smaller ones seem to have a harder time to get established.
long filaments, or whiskers? |
diese schöne Blume habe ich noch nie gesehen
ReplyDeletetoll,toll,toll
Sehr tropisch, aber ich denke ich habe sie schon mal beim Dehner gesehen.
DeleteFascinating plant! I may be afraid to stand beside it too long; I can imagine those tentacles wrapping around my neck and perhaps caressing my face! My kind of plant!
ReplyDeleteDeb, thanks for visiting :-) ... hahaa, too funny and now I will never look at this flower without that vision in my mind, tentacles wrapping around my neck ;-)
DeleteOh, the Tacca integrifolia is a beautiful plant, I have looked at this one many times before and I would have loved to grow it but I have heard it is notoriously difficult here in Britain, especially since it doesn’t like our winters so I haven’t tried it yet. I would have had to grow it in a container so I could take it in the shed during cold spells – a bit too big for that I guess. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Helene :-) I agree, to have as house plant it takes extra effort, treat it as a paphiopedilum, bright filtered light, high humidity during summer and cool and dry during winter.
DeleteI knew there had to be a Halloween connection ! LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunner it is .. now I am wondering about the black one ;-)
the black one is so very nice, even more Halloween-ish. I'll have to try with it again sometime
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