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Tacca chantrieri André
| Family Name: | Dioscoreaceae |
| Synonyms: | Tacca macrantha |
| Common Name: | Devil Flower, Bat Flower, Cat's Whiskers |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | From Assam, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina and northern Peninsular Malaysia. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a rhizomatous herb, growing up to 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | ts leaves are arranged in a rosette from the short stem. The leaves have rather fleshy leaf blades that are variable in shape, ranging from elliptic to ovate, oblong-ovate, lance-shaped, 17–55 by 4.4–22 cm. |
| Flowers | Its long-stalked flowering shoot has up to 25 flowers to up to 2.5 cm wide clustered at the stalk’s tip. Its flower consists of 3 petals, and 3 sepals that are folded backwards. They also have rabbit ear-like bracts that are up to 9 by 4 cm, and up to 26 whisker-like, pale green or violet green bracts. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are deep orange-red to purple berries, up to 4 by 2 cm, and contain numerous seeds. |
| Habitat | It grows in inland primary and secondary forests. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin tacca, from the Indonesian name, taka. Latin chantrieri, after Chantrier Frères, nurserymen of Mortefontaine, France. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Its leaves and inflorescences are used in curries. Medicinal: Its rhizomes are used medicinally in Thailand. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for shaded to partially shaded, moist areas in parks and gardens. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Shade, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Obovate, Lanceolate, Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Reticulate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Brown, Black |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Orange, Purple, Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1196 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2489 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
