Black Bat Flower

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TGDragonfly

TGDragonfly

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Jan 9, 2009
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Is this the oddest flower you ever seen? It's called the Black Bat Flower. I have no idea if it would make a good cut. Has anyone ever seen this?
If it held up well, would you use it? Trying to decide what new things to put in the gardens this year.
 

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What family is it Thom? Also, what are the growing properties? Very cool flower. :)

Never mind, I googled it.

A very unusual species with black bat shaped flowers up to 12 inches across, and long 'whiskers' that can grow wild in the tropical forest in Yunnan Province, China, where they can get as tall as 36 inches. These beautiful flowers grow best in well-drained soil and high humidity. We ship No.1 size roots.

V
 
Hi V
If anyone is interested in sticking a few in the garden, Spring Hill Nursery is offering them this year. Who knows what the thing will do.
 
I envision that being a hair piece for someone blonde or white hair so it stands out. You know a tight pulled back bun and that fixed to it. I love it...it's a cool looking flower!
 
It looks like a bulb flower.........also looks like it could be in the amaryllis family. I would imagine the longevity of that flower would be akin to that of an amaryllis.
 
Google it Rick. There is lots of information about it.

V
 
I know I could have googled it first.......but the reason I did not is this......Having went through three years of ornamental horticulture prior to entering the florist business....I still try and use what I learned those many years ago. I have as many horticulture books as I do floral design books.
 
Hey it does appear to be a tuber type root system. Not sure of the commercial use for it, It looks extremely fragile. But wouldn't be a fun flower to see open up by itself? I think because it is such an extreme flower, the consumer interest would be great. I ordered a few, we'll see what it does.

I notice also that they are selling several new varieties of really strange purple Cobras. I have a brook out back that might be well suited.

I also found a source for scottish sunflower that grows 12 inches from the ground but has a head that they say is 15" in diameter with a real knotty appearance and small yellow leaves.
 
Kinda gives me the creeps.....
 
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bloomz said:
Kinda gives me the creeps.....
Click to expand...

There is something spooky about the flower, Tim Burton-like, but quite magnificent though.
Good luck with your garden Thom. Always a great winter project... Then when it comes time to till the land, by god it's wedding season and all that creative planning goes out the window as you rush to get the plants in the ground before it gets too hot. :bouquet2:
 
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TGDragonfly said:
Hey it does appear to be a tuber type root system. Not sure of the commercial use for it, It looks extremely fragile. But wouldn't be a fun flower to see open up by itself? I think because it is such an extreme flower, the consumer interest would be great. I ordered a few, we'll see what it does.

I notice also that they are selling several new varieties of really strange purple Cobras. I have a brook out back that might be well suited.

I also found a source for scottish sunflower that grows 12 inches from the ground but has a head that they say is 15" in diameter with a real knotty appearance and small yellow leaves.
Click to expand...
I have tried growing this as an indoor plant.....I tried but it died.....You may be more familiar with this plant with the white blossom. Never tried it outdoors ,but go for it. I can tell you it has a wierd smell to it .
 
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Lizzie, I was thinking it might have a weird scent! Thanks for letting us know. Can you describe it? I really love this flower it's so cosmic and alien like...would be great for Halloween.
 
Did my floristry training on the Dutch/German border and we used to sell these as houseplants but they need high humidity and are not for the amateur. My boss always said the smell was akin to spoiled meat....which is a good reason not to have it in the house. Although they are beautiful you couldn't get up too close. I was once given a plant called the voodoo lily to plant in my back garden which smelt rancid. It was calla shped but much bigger and dark beetroot in colour but the smell literally turned your stomach. An artist friend of mine took one to paint and had to paint it through the french windows because the smell was so awful. Needless to say it didn't last more than a season in the garden!!
 
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I had one a couple of years ago. I had it in my greenhouse and still couldn't keep it alive. Neat plant though, I like the weird ones ; )
Sharon

I think I had a white one too RIP ; )
 
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