The bat flower, Tacca chantrieri, is dark purple and appears almost black. Its form resembles the nocturnal flying rodent, the bat.
Some call it the ‘Devil’s Flower’ while others think of it as the ‘Cat’s Whiskers’ because of the long filaments. Call it what you want, it is one of the most awesome flowers that can be planted both outdoors and indoors, in pots or on the ground.
Almost all species of animals and plants have an albino type, but in this genus, there is an entire species with white flowers called Tacca integrifolia.
This flower is actually related to the kata konnongi, or Dioscorea esculenta, in the same family Dioscoreaceae.
Although it grows easily in the warm, humid conditions of Goa, this flower is a native to, and grows in the wild in Southern China, especially in the Yunnan Province. They love the damp shadows in tropical jungles and thrive in a similar environment created in gardens.
TACCA IN GOA
Plant enthusiasts Maria Lilia Pinto, from Candolim, and Vanessa Pinto, in Betim, have both species of Tacca growing luxuriantly in their gardens.
Thanks to the ‘Home Garden Competition’ of the Botanical Society of Goa, I have seen a range of plants, including these two, while judging the 32 editions of this annual competition that even the pandemic did not stop. The winners of the competition, held in January, 2024, will be declared shortly.
Soil that is well-drained and rich in organic matter, like compost and coco peat, is best for growing Tacca. A warm, humid environment, free from direct sunlight and gusty winds or drafts from air vents of air-conditioners are ideal.
The plant can be propagated by division of the plantlets or using the rhizome or through seeds which are borne in pods.
When grown on the ground, the fallen seeds will germinate naturally to give new plants. If extracting the seeds for sowing elsewhere, wash out the mucilaginous covering from the seeds, as in guava seeds, and dry in the shade.
To get quicker germination, soak the seeds in warm water one day before sowing. Germination can take one to nine months, so have patience!
Spring season, with Carnival and Shigmo, is the peak flowering time, but one can also see flowers during the monsoons in Goa.
So, if you want to see Tacca plants in their full majesty, now is the time to have a look. Maybe you can buy a plant from the nursery (if you do not have a friend who has a plant to spare). If you have grown a Peace Lily (Spathyphyllum species) or anthurium plant, growing the Bat Flower is like child’s play.
You can start now or wait until the monsoons when it is easier to establish a plant. However, now is the time to see how a Tacca in bloom looks in a garden.
The author is the former Chairman of the GCCI Agriculture Committee, CEO of Planter's Choice Pvt Ltd, Additional Director of OFAI and Garden Superintendent of Goa University, and has edited 18 books for Goa & Konkan