Cat's whiskers, Bat-flower
Tacca integrifolia

Family: Dioscoreaceae

What it is like

A herb which has tubers and becomes dormant for part of the year. It grows 75 cm high. The leaves form at the base and are sword shaped or broadly oval. They are 50 cm long. They are glossy dark green. The leaf stalks are purple. The flowers are purplish. They have short stalks. There are 2 broad, spreading bracts. These are white to purple. There are 2 narrower bracts below. There are long threadlike bracteoles. These are 20-25 cm long.

Also put in the family Taccaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on monsoon forest. It needs a seasonally moist and dry climate. It needs a fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. In Tibet is grows on mountain slopes between 800-900 m above sea level. It needs a neutral to acid pH. It needs light shade. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia (country/location of origin), Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tubers are sweet and nourishing. It contains a bitter substance taccalin which is removed before eating. The leaf stalk is boiled and eaten.

Edible parts

Tubers, root, leaf stalk

How it is grown

They are grown by division or from cuttings of old tubers. Seeds can be used and these take 3 years to flowering. The seeds are sown on the soil surface.

Its other names

Local names

Barba del gato, Dukerkanda, Handigedde, Keladi murai, Kya-mokseik, Motimunda, Thialkha, Vrahikanda, Ye-kya

Synonyms

Tacca aspera Roxb.; Tacca laevis Roxb.;