Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri)

WOW! These flowers will stop you in your tracks. The unusual black flowers look like bats with long cat whiskers, and they rise up on long stems from the broad shiny leaves. It tends to bloom from late summer through fall, often flowering for Halloween. Black Bat Flower is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia where it grows as an understory plant. It prefers partial sun or filtered light, warm temperatures and good air circulation around the plant. A well-aerated soil mix and a clay pot will keep the root system healthy. Fertilize every couple of weeks during the growing season.