Bat Flower

Description:

Tacca chantrieri, the black bat flower, is a species of flowering plant in the yam family Dioscoreaceae. Tacca chantrieri is an unusual plant in that it has black flowers. These flowers are somewhat bat-shaped, are up to 12 inches across, and have long 'whiskers' that can grow up to 28 inches.

Habitat:

Tacca chantrierei is native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, and southern China: particularly Yunnan Province.[3] They are understory plants, so they prefer shade (at least 60%). They grow best in well-drained soil with good air circulation, but they prefer high humidity, and need a lot of water.

Notes:

This picture was taken from the the botanic gardens where it grows as a wild understorey plant. However, this is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, especially the "white bat plant." (Tacca integrifolia) which is similar to T. chantrieri, but has white bracts which are veined purple.