Tacca integrifolia Nivea

Tacca integrifolia 'Nivea' is a rare form of the Bat Flower that displays large white bracts veined with green, resembling a bat in flight, revealing under its 'wings' a cluster of small dark pendulous flowers accompanied by a bundle of gracefully trailing long filaments. This strange inflorescence emerges from a basal tuft of elongated foliage, of rare elegance, in bright green. Native to tropical regions of Asia, this frost-sensitive plant must be cultivated by experienced gardeners, in a warm and humid greenhouse, in a bright location, but without direct sunlight.

Tacca chantrieri and T. integrifolia belong to the family Taccaceae, consisting of the single genus Tacca. They are perennial rhizomatous species native to Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and regions near China, naturalized and cultivated in many regions of tropical Asia. In the wild, they are found growing in forests, valleys, along rivers, from 200m (656ft) up to 1300m (4265ft) in altitude, on acidic and humus-rich soil, as well as in rainforests from Bhutan to Malaysia for Tacca integrifolia. Under good growing conditions, Tacca 'Nivea' reaches a height of 75 to 90cm (30 to 35in) when flowering, 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) for the foliage.

The plant develops from thick rhizomes. It forms a clump of basal leaves, carried by petioles 10 to 30cm (4 to 12in) long, with oblong and entire laminae measuring 20 to 50cm (8 to 20in) (sometimes 60cm (24in)) in length and 7cm (3in) in width. The leaves resemble those of Spathiphyllum. They are glabrous or pubescent, cuneiform, pointed at their tips. The foliage is bright green and glossy, with prominent veins. In our climates, flowering occurs from June to August, and sporadically until December. Only plants aged 2 or 3 years produce inflorescences. The 'Nivea' variety is a form of Tacca integrifolia. This "bat flower" owes its name to its very distinctive inflorescence, which evokes the small mammal in flight, in shape, but its bracts are unusually clear, pure white finely veined with light green, turning green as they age. The flowers are dark purple, consisting of 5 petals, grouped in clusters of up to 25 flowers. These clusters are at the centre of four bracts, two of which, in outer position, are particularly developed. Each flower pedicel produces long violet to white trailing filaments, 25cm (10in) long, forming a shooting star tail. The fruits are berries that contain numerous small kidney-shaped seeds.

The white bat plant is a plant for experienced gardeners, a curiosity to be admired up close, protected from cold and scorching sun, in a heated greenhouse or conservatory, without direct sunlight. It is adorned with beautiful foliage and offers one of the most interesting flowers among plants. As such, it can only exert fascination and interest in those who contemplate it. However, it is sometimes capricious and demanding in terms of growing conditions. When it is happy, this plant grows, flowers abundantly, and even produces offspring plants. When something is lacking, it slowly weakens and eventually disappears. Unfortunately, the only way to know if you can provide it with good growing conditions is to try. It should be kept in mind that this plant originates from hot and humid tropical areas of Asia, and it undergoes some drought during the rest period in winter in our latitudes.