Photo of the day: Spooky specimen

It’s been given such nicknames as “devil flower” and “tiger’s whiskers.”

A specimen of Tacca integrifolia ‘Nivea,’ the haunting white bat flower from Southeast Asia is now on display in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' tropical conservatory. Hovering bat-wing bracts, adorned with 12-inch-long whisker-like filaments, protect clusters of purple-black flowers. The species is reputed to be feared by native Malaysians who believe looking into the “eyes” of the flower will curse the observer.

The flower will only bloom for a short time.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].