Tuberose
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| Polianthes tuberosa |
The tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) is a perennial plant of the agave family Agavaceae, extracts of which used as a top note in perfumery. The common name derives from the Latin tuberosa, meaning swollen or tuberous in reference to its root system. It consists of about 12 species.
The tuberose is a night-blooming plant thought to be native to Mexico along with every other species of Polianthes. The Aztecs called it Omixochitl [oh me' zu che' tl] or bone flower.
Its East Indian name, Ratkirani, translates to "Queen of the Night". In Singapore it is called Xinxiao which means "that on which the moth rests". In Persian, it is called "Maryam" and is a popular name for girls. The tuberose is also used traditionally in Hawaii to produce bridal Leis and was considerd a funeral flower in Victorian times. Its scent is described as a complex, exotic, sweet, floral.
The tuberose grows in elongated spikes up to 45 cm (18 in) long that produce clusters of fragrant waxy white flowers that bloom from the bottom towards the top of the spike. It has long, bright green leaves clustered at the base of the plant and smaller, clasping leaves along the stem.
Members of the closely-related genus Manfreda are often called "tuberoses".
