White Bat Flower

Originated from India, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, southern China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, western Java and Kalimantan. The plant is widely used in various countries as a medicinal plant. Tacca integrifolia is also sometimes grown in gardens as an ornamental plant.

Keladi murai (Malay), Man phlaen (Thai).

Tacca integrifolia grows in primary and secondary forests, up to an altitude of 1200 (-1500 m). This herb tolerates most soils, and grows fairly easily in a pot in a cool, moist, shady area. Prefers fertile loam soil, well drained soil, acidic soil (pH 5.1 - 5.5), moist soil.

• Rhizome - horizontal cylindrical, up to 12 x 3 cm.
• Leaves - arranged in rosette from short stems, oval or spear to lanceolate, 7.5 - 65 cm x 3 - 24 cm, flat edge, petiole 4.5 - 41 cm, purple color.
• Flowers - inflorescences with stems up to 65 (-100) cm long, 4 large involucral bracts, non-decussate, numerous filiform bracts and up to 30 flowers, whisker-like, white or bright green. Flowers consist of 3 petals, and 3 sepals folded back, up to 3.2 cm in diameter, green to blackish purple.
• Fruits - berries, 2.5 - 5 cm x 1 - 2.5 cm, green to black.
• Seeds - ovoid to oval-ovoid.

Propagated by seeds and division of shoots from the main stem.

Ocratoxin A, amino acids, n-triacontanol, castanogenin, betulinic acid, quercetin-3-α-arabinoside, and taccalin.

• In Peninsular Malaysia, the mashed rhizome is applied to the skin to treat rashes.
• In Thailand a decoction of the rhizome is used to treat hypotension and as an aphrodisiac.
• In Vietnam used to treat irregular menstruation.