From the Indonesian name taka for the plant.

Rhizomatous or tuberous perennial herbs. Leaves basal, blades elliptic, the veins parallel or palmate from the base; stalks long and with sheathing bases. Flowers bisexual, regular, bell-shaped, nodding, 3-parted with a collar of shiny bracts and also thread-like floral bracts. Perianth segments petal-like in 2 whorls of 3, mostly brownish-green. Stamens 6 in 2 whorls of 3, attached to the perianth segments, the filaments flattened. Ovary inferior with 1 chamber, 6-ribbed and numerous ovules with parietal placentation. Fruit usually a berry.

Several species have naturalised in the tropics.

Division of rhizomes, or seed.

Tubers are starchy and used for bread; T. pinnatifida is the edible Tahitian Arrowroot whose leaves are used for making hats; T. palmata from Malaysia is used locally for medicinal purposes.

10 species from Malaysia, Papuasia and Australia (2 species).

Wyndham (1957).

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Taccaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.