Tacca chantrieri - Black Bat Flower

Tacca chantrieri is one of the strangest plants on the planet. Its dark purple blossoms are a foot across, with winged petals and long stamens that dangle a couple of feet. The blooms look like bat faces. This is quite a plant.Tacca grows wild in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and needs a warm, shady, humid setting with good air circulation. It's downright finicky, but in the right conditions will grow three feet tall and bloom profusely.Black Bat Flower will thrive in a container for years. If you live where it's hot and humid, you can grow it outdoors, but it is seriously tropical and does best indoors or in a greenhouse anywhere  else. Conditions have to be just right - filtered light, moist soil, good air circulation. When it's happy, it's robust, forming fat clumps that can send up a dozen blooms at a time.This is a remarkable plant with beautiful foliage and extraordinary blooms. If you like a challenge, (or have a greenhouse), this plant is truly awesome.  These fresh se