White bat flower (Tacca integrifolia).

The white batflower (Tacca integrifolia) might look like a normal plant right up until it starts to bloom. When it does, it unfurls some of the strangest and most amazing flowers in the plant kingdom. Beneath its clusters of purplish flowers hang long, whisker-like bracts that can reach a foot in length. Above the flowers, two widely flared, white bracts (which resemble flower petals) give the plant its "bat wings."

There is no way anyone can glance at a batflower and not do a double-take. And if you wish to gaze at these fascinating flowers from the comfort of home, you're in luck because the plant can be successfully grown indoors. The main challenge will be finding it. Specialty and mail-order nurseries often are the only viable source of any batflower variety.

Next
Advertisements