Polianthes tuberosa

"Tuberose" redirects here. Tuberose may also refer to other plants in the genera Polianthes and Manfreda.

Tuberose
File:Polianthes tuberosa, Burdwan, West Bengal, India 25 10 2012.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Agavoideae
Genus:	Polianthes
Species:	P. tuberosa
Binomial name
Polianthes tuberosa L.
Synonyms
List Agave polianthes Thiede & Eggli Agave tuberosa (L.) Thiede & Eggli nom. illeg. Crinum angustifolium Houtt. Polianthes gracilis Link Tuberosa amica Medik.

Polianthes tuberosa, the tuberose, is a perennial plant related to the agaves, extracts of which are used as a note in perfumery. The common name derives from the Latin tuberosa, meaning swollen or tuberous in reference to its root system. Polianthes means "many flowers" in Greek. In Mexican Spanish, the flower is called nardo or vara de San José, which means "St. Joseph’s staff". This plant is called as rajanigandha in India, which means 'fragrant at night'. It is called kupaloke in Hawaiian.

The tuberose is a night-blooming plant native to Mexico, as is every other known species of Polianthes. It 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. Epiphyllous adhesion of stamens is seen in the flower.

Members of the closely related genus Manfreda are often called "tuberoses". In the Philippines, the plant is also known as azucena, and, while once associated with funerals, it is now used in floral arrangements for other occasions.

Cultivation

Hardiness: Zones 8-10