white batflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• batplant
• White Bat Flower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ataccia laevis
• Ataccia integrifolia
• Ataccia aspera
• Ataccia lancifolia
• Tacca sumatrana
• Tacca choudhuriana
• Tacca laevis
• Tacca lancifolia
• Tacca aspera

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dioscoreales, falling into the family Dioscoreaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Tacca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Asia. In China, its presence is primarily noted within the Tibet region. Moving to the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Assam and throughout Bangladesh. The species is also distributed across the East Himalaya area. Finally, it is widely documented as being native to India.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tacca integrifolia is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within its natural habitat, thriving across a distinct vertical gradient. This species is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 300 m AMSL to a maximum of 850 m AMSL. Within this ecological niche, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 825 m AMSL, suggesting a strong preference for the specific climatic and environmental conditions present in these mid-to-high altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

850 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

825 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Tacca integrifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. As a geophyte, its survival and regeneration strategies are heavily dependent on underground storage organs, which enable the plant to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and re-emerge during optimal periods. This life form ensures a stable presence in the ecosystem, as the plant maintains its vitality through these subterranean structures, facilitating long-term growth and reproductive success over many years.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tacca integrifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 1 meter. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent existence within its habitat. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with lianas or vines, and instead grows as a robust, non-woody forb.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Tacca integrifolia is characterized by significant morphological variation in its foliar structures, which serve as primary sites for photosynthetic activity. The leaves exhibit a substantial surface area, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 50 cm to a maximum of 56 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 53 cm. This longitudinal growth is complemented by a robust width profile, where leaf widths fluctuate between a minimum of 18.5 cm and a maximum of 21 cm, resulting in a mean width of 19.75 cm. These dimensional parameters indicate a highly efficient capacity for light interception, supporting the plant's metabolic requirements through expansive laminar expansion.

Leaf length max:

56 cm

Leaf length mean:

53 cm

Leaf length min:

50 cm

Leaf width max:

21 cm

Leaf width mean:

19.75 cm

Leaf width min:

18.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tacca integrifolia is characterized by the development of distinct fruit structures that contain specialized seeds. The fruits produced by this species typically exhibit a mean length of 4.5 cm, with individual fruit dimensions ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are notably consistent in their physical properties, maintaining a uniform mass throughout the reproductive cycle. Specifically, the seed mass is recorded at a constant value of 0.0021 g, as evidenced by the mean, minimum, and maximum measurements all aligning at this specific weight.

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

4.5 cm

Fruit length min:

4 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.0021 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Rhizome

1. Mycotoxin research

Chemicals

Tacca integrifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include OCHRATOXIN A, betulinic acid.

OCHRATOXIN A

1. Mycotoxin research

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Tacca integrifolia has 19 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Tropical biomedicine

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Tacca integrifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include rhizomes.

Rhizomes

1. Mycotoxin research