batflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• batflower
• cat's-whiskers
• devil-flower
• Black bat flower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schizocapsa breviscapa
• Tacca esquirolii
• Tacca minor
• Tacca wilsonii
• Schizocapsa itagakii
• Clerodendrum esquirolii
• Tacca roxburghii
• Tacca vespertilio
• Tacca lancifolia var. breviscapa
• Tacca macrantha
• Tacca paxiana
• Tacca garrettii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Dioscoreales. Finally, it resides in the family Dioscoreaceae under the genus Tacca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its distribution extends through the South-Central areas and the southeastern provinces. It can also be found growing in the tropical environment of Hainan and the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving beyond China, the species is also native to the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within Assam. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal species flourishes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tacca chantrieri is characterized by a specific altitudinal distribution within its natural habitats, thriving across a diverse range of elevations. It is typically found at low to mid-altitude tropical environments, with its presence recorded starting from a minimum elevation of 170 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant occupies various ecological niches, reaching a maximum elevation of 1336 m AMSL. On average, the species is most commonly situated at a mean elevation of 735 m AMSL, reflecting its preference for the specific moisture and temperature regimes characteristic of these mid-range tropical elevations.

Elevational range max:

1336 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

735 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

170 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Tacca chantrieri is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, it relies on specialized underground storage organs to survive unfavorable environmental conditions, ensuring its long-term survival in its natural habitat. This survival strategy is further supported by its classification as a cryptophyte, meaning its vital regenerative parts remain protected beneath the soil surface during dormant periods.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tacca chantrieri is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that reaches a maximum plant height of approximately 0.6 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining an independent existence without parasitic behavior. While it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber, its overall habit is defined by its herbaceous nature and lack of woody tissue.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tacca chantrieri is characterized by a robust vegetative structure optimized for shade-tolerant growth, particularly evident in its significant foliar development. The plant exhibits a wide range of leaf dimensions, where the leaf length typically averages approximately 35 cm, though it can fluctuate based on environmental conditions and nutrient availability. Under optimal physiological circumstances, the leaf length may reach a minimum of 20 cm, while exceptionally vigorous specimens can achieve a maximum leaf length of up to 50 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaves maintain a functional width that starts at a minimum of 7 cm, ensuring an expansive surface area necessary for efficient light interception in its native understory habitats.

Leaf length max:

50 cm

Leaf length mean:

35 cm

Leaf length min:

20 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tacca chantrieri is primarily achieved through the development of specialized fruiting structures following successful pollination. The plant produces distinct fruit bodies that serve as the vessel for seed dispersal. Based on morphological data, the fruit length exhibits high consistency, with a mean length of 3 cm. This measurement is highly uniform across observed specimens, as both the minimum and maximum recorded fruit lengths are precisely 3 cm. These compact, consistent fruit dimensions play a critical role in the plant's reproductive cycle and its ability to distribute offspring within its natural habitat.

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tacca chantrieri has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Journal of natural products
2. Phytochemistry
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
4. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Chemicals

Tacca chantrieri has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Taccasteroside A, Taccasteroside B, Taccasteroside C.

Taccasteroside A

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Taccasteroside B

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Taccasteroside C

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Preparations

Tacca chantrieri has 2 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include rhizomes, herbal shampoo.

Rhizomes

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Herbal shampoo

1. Tropical biomedicine