gallaxy | photoblog » Tacca

30 Oct 2007 • 359 views

Tacca - Black Beauty|

camera	KODAK Z7590 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA
exposure mode	shutter priority
shutterspeed	1/60s
aperture	f/3.0
sensitivity	ISO80
focal length	8.0mm
resolution	2576x1932 pixels

Tacca - Black Beauty

This extraordinary plant has lots of common names - `bat flower`, `cat`s whiskers`, `devil`s flower`, and I would like to add one more, `witch`s bouquet`! It looks like a whole bouquet of flowers within one single bloom. Depending on the light, it can look almost black, but it is somewhere between aubergine and dark brown. I think it looks rather gothic. Perfect flower arrangement for a sophisticated halloween dinner party!

This one is growing on a stem about three feet tall, and the bloom, from ear to ear, measures about eight inches. The whiskers trail down a foot or more. Fascinating, isn`t it? I read that nurserymen are in the process of developing a white version. Now that would make an eye-catching wedding bouquet!

Can`t find out too much about it, other than it originates from Africa and South East Asia, and like warm, humid conditions, but little direct sunlight.

It was an expensive present, so I hope I can keep it going!

This one is just opening and I will post a photograph of it in full bloom.......when it is in full bloom.

comments (31)

Red Pen

30 Oct 2007, 00:26

I've never seen anything like it. It's quite amazing. You're right that it would make a great Halloween accessory.

Rosalyn Sears: I saw one in a Garden Centre a few weeks ago, and raved about it. Last week my Mum gave one to me as a surprise present! I am a lucky lady. There are actually two stems on this plant, both flowering, so I hope I should get some nice shots. (I also hope I can manage to keep it alive.) (:o)

ray

Thailand

30 Oct 2007, 00:35

Gobsmacked, Rosalyn!
beautifull image of a very strange bloom.

Rosalyn Sears: It is a cracker, isn`t it. Google doesn`t turn up much, other than seeds for sale, but I haven`t had time to do a really good search. Imagine coming across one of these growing wild! No doubt they generate much local folklore. (:o)

Philosophical Karen

Canada

30 Oct 2007, 01:03

Wow, lucky you to receive such a gift! Glad you shared it, too.

Rosalyn Sears: I know - I was thrilled! I had to share this one. It is so facinating, and appropriately gothic for Halloween tomorrow. (:o)

Martin

Houston

30 Oct 2007, 03:29

This just has to be artificial! Admit it, you made it in your basement

Rosalyn Sears: lol! I wish I knew how - I`d make a mint! (:o)

United States

30 Oct 2007, 03:53

LOL at Martin. This looks like a giant spider. Admit it, you breed them in your basement

Rosalyn Sears: lol! I thought it looked like a species which might take over the world, one day. I does look spiderish, doesn`t it. (:o)

Catalpa bignoniodes

Newcastle

30 Oct 2007, 05:41

Weird thing!

Rosalyn Sears: Me or it? lol! (;o)

Lilith

re-carving stone

30 Oct 2007, 06:56

This is so beautiful.You have done it justice here. What gems nature has for us!

Rosalyn Sears: It is just so unlike anything I have seen before. I was so taken with it. Glad you like it. (:o)

Gale McAll

South Africa

30 Oct 2007, 07:03

It is exquisite. i have never seen anything like this. Wow spectacular!!

Rosalyn Sears: Neither had I. I find it fascinating rather than beautiful. So exotic looking and sort of alien. Pleased you like it. (:o)

Kathryn

Germany

30 Oct 2007, 07:24

Wow this is a plant? Amazing plant and good shot of it!

Rosalyn Sears: It certainly is, and a pretty bizarre one too. I glad you have enjoyed it. (:o)

Scarlet

Netherlands

30 Oct 2007, 07:34

I've never seen this. It's amazing. I'm with Martin on this one.... are you sure it's real??

Rosalyn Sears: I have never seen this plant before, either. I shall take some time to investigate it on google. It is a real one though.....honestly! (:o)

blackdog

United Kingdom

30 Oct 2007, 09:22

Wonderful - special request for a shot as the bloom begins to fade too ;o)

I can just imagine a cruella de ville vamp wearing one as a buttonhole to a halloween ball!

good choice of background.

Rosalyn Sears: I shall certainly be taking lots of photographs of this one - just in case I manage to kill it. I believe that, although it is not of the orchid family, it likes similar conditions, but more humidity. Fingers crossed that I get it right. Love the idea of cruella de ville`s buttonhole - lol! Background is just a big piece of matt black card. I thought it would look more interesting and mysterious on a dark background. (:o)

Max Black-Icon in his own Lunchtime

United Kingdom

30 Oct 2007, 09:46

'Feed me Seymour'
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091419/trailers-screenplay-E13674-310

Rosalyn Sears: lol! I love it! One of my daughter`s favorite films. (:o)

johnnyg

Great Britain (UK)

30 Oct 2007, 11:22

I've heard of " witch's bouquet " but have never seen it, wonderful and very fitting, can't wait to see it in full bloom.

J

Rosalyn Sears: I had never heard of it before, but I am thrilled with it. It is coming in to full bloom quite quickly - probably because I have the heating on. I will throw another photograph up later in the week. (:o)

Florence

France

30 Oct 2007, 11:29

Great still life picture, this plant looks like a spider.

Rosalyn Sears: Thank you, Florence. I thought it looked spider-like, too! (:o)

Aps

Oman

30 Oct 2007, 11:53

Wow ! its an amazing flower. Never seen it. at first I thought it was some artificial accessory

The dark colour is quite rare for a flower.

Rosalyn Sears: It is very unusual looking. You are right, it is quite rare to see such dark colouring in a flower. I must try to find out more about it. (:o)

Louis

South Africa

30 Oct 2007, 12:08

Reminds me a lot of Sylvester the Puddy Tat.

Great picture and unusual flower.

Rosalyn Sears: lol! It does look like Sylvester! Glad you like the photograph. (:o)

Tracy

Great Britain (UK)

30 Oct 2007, 12:21

Spectacular looking,i've never seen anything like this before.

Rosalyn Sears: Me either, Tracy. (:o)

Dotun Ayodeji

30 Oct 2007, 17:27

nice shot.

Rosalyn Sears: Thank you, Dotun. I appreciate that. (:o)

Trudie

South Africa

30 Oct 2007, 17:29

Intriguing is an understatement. I'd love to see one of these real life.

Rosalyn Sears: I`d love to see one in its natural habitat. Imagine coming across one of these! (:o)

Trudie

South Africa

30 Oct 2007, 17:30

Intriguing is an understatement. I'd love to see one of these real life.

Mal

stuck behind a computer all day

30 Oct 2007, 18:35

Alien plant from your gallaxy Roz! Striking image. mal

Rosalyn Sears: That is a great word to describe it - `alien`. Pleased you like the photograph. (:o)

Pilgrim

United Kingdom

30 Oct 2007, 19:30

What a striking plant - I've never heard of this before. Looks spectacular like it is so look forward to seeing it full bloom. Lovely image Rosalyn. David.

Rosalyn Sears: Thank you, David. This was a new one for me, too. I will definitely try to find out more about it. (:o)

M'roy

United States

30 Oct 2007, 19:59

This must be pretty rare. I have never seen this before. Lovely, very lovely.

Rosalyn Sears: This one was bought in a garden centre, so I expect they will become less rare pretty quickly. It is an intriguing plant, though. (:o)

José-Angel

Spain

30 Oct 2007, 20:20

Oh! This is like an alien! In fact it is a flower or it plants very strange, but simultaneously pretty!

Rosalyn Sears: It does look as though it has just arrived from a different world. Glad you like it, Jose. (:o)

Bill Phillips

United Kingdom

30 Oct 2007, 21:12

Superb shot of an amazing plant.

Rosalyn Sears: Thanks, Bill. It is pretty amazing. (:o)

Aussie

Brisbane

30 Oct 2007, 21:28

What an extraordinary flower, beautiful image.

Rosalyn Sears: Thank you, Aussie. I am so pleased to share this one. (:o)

Aksel from Norway

Norway

30 Oct 2007, 21:37

Very nice...looks like a beautiful spider

Rosalyn Sears: Thank you, Aksel. Several people have said it looks like a spider. (:o)

Nigel Clack

Glawsterrr!!

30 Oct 2007, 21:44

Very interesting flower, plenty of macro opportunities

Rosalyn Sears: I`ll do my best! (:o)

telemachus

Brnglipf Zverl

30 Oct 2007, 22:16

Alien life!

Rosalyn Sears: I`m wondering if I shouldn`t lock this up at night! I might wake up and find it looming over the bed with some sort of ray-gun. lol! (:o)

David Atkinson

from one power chord too many

30 Oct 2007, 23:09

That is one strange flower. Nice shot. All the best, Dave.

Rosalyn Sears: I`ll let you into a little secret, David....there are actually two blooms on this plant! Twice the fun! (:o)

Zebigleb

France

11 Nov 2007, 21:38

Wonderful Rosalyn !
I'm back from India and I'm going to have a great pleasure visiting your last posts

Rosalyn Sears: Thank you, and thank you so much for taking the time to catch up on my archive. I really do appreciate that. (:o)

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