Tacca chantrieri Taccaceae Bob Watts, San Francisco This lowland tropical species native to Southeast Asia has recently become more available. It makes a good house plant, especially if at least moderate humidity can be maintained. It needs warm temperatures at all times. The striking, nearly pitchblack flowers open up in succession on top of 18 inch high stems. Large black bracts look almost like bat wings with long 4 inch threadlike tails extending from the tip of each of the flower petals, leading to another of its common names, cat’s whiskers plant. .. Photo by Jill Salmon