The scientific name Tacca originates from the Malay language and was adopted by botanists to designate all ten species of the genus Tacca. Taccas are not orchids. They are herbs and closely related to the yam family. Like yams, the bat-flower family produces starchy, bitter tubers that are edible. The flour is traded under the names Tacca starch, East Indian arrowroot or Tahitian arrowroot. However, cultivation has declined significantly today. The flowers grow on leafless stems. A striking distinguishing feature is the approximately 30 long, thread-like bracts. The various species of Tacca are found only in the tropics. They are restricted to three isolated regions. One distribution zone stretches from the Himalayas through South-East Asia to Polynesia; the second extends across the whole of tropical Africa to Madagascar; and the third, highly isolated region is situated in the Amazon Basin of South America.
Distribution
Asia and Polynesia, Africa and Madagascar, South America
Number of related species
10 (worldwide)
Use
Ornamental plant; its tuber was once a staple food in Polynesia
