A strange and wonderful tender perennial from the monsoonal forests of  Western China and SE Asia, this dark form of the tuberous perennial Tacca chantrieri has lance shaped, dark green leaves and produces umbels of flowers that have showy dark bracts with distinctive filaments (or whiskers) flowing from the base. 

The Black Cat Flower can grow to 2-3 feet high and wide and prefers fertile, well-drained soil, partial shade and  humid growing conditions. Water freely during the growing season and keep drier in winter.  It is frost sensitive and must be protected from cold weather by growing indoors or overwintering in a heated greenhouse.   Makes a fine and showy container plant.  Taccaceae