Polianthes tuberosa

The common name derives from the Latin tuberosa through French tubéreuse, meaning swollen or tuberous in reference to its root system. == Description ==

The tuberose is herbaceous, growing from underground tubers or tuberous roots. It produces offsets. The leaves are a dull green and about long and up to wide at the base. They are slightly succulent. The inflorescence is a spike, reaching up to high, with pure white waxy flowers. The flowers are tubular, with a tube up to long, separating into six flaring segments (tepals) at the end, and are strongly fragrant. There are six stamens, inserted into the tube of the flower, and a three-part stigma. The double-flowered cultivar 'The Pearl' has broader and darker leaves, and shorter flower spikes, usually reaching only . Orange-flowered forms of the species have been reported. As well due to crossing with other species there are now yellow, pink, red and greenish forms. ==Taxonomy==

The species was first described for science by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. ==Distribution==

The tuberose is believed to be native to central and southern Mexico. It is no longer found in the wild, probably as a result of being domesticated by the Aztecs. It is currently grown in many tropical and temperate countries. Polianthes tuberosa is the only one of the species in genus Polianthes in commercial cultivation. ==Uses==

In perfumery The overwhelming fragrance of the tuberose has been distilled for use in perfumery since the 17th century, when the flower was first transported to Europe. French Queen Marie Antoinette used a perfume called Sillage de la Reine, also called Parfum de Trianon, containing tuberose, orange blossom, sandalwood, jasmine, iris and cedar. It remains a popular floral note for perfumes, either in stand-alone Tuberose fragrances or mixed floral scents, but it generally must be used in moderation because the essence is overpowering and can become sickly to the wearer. Others In Indonesia, tuberose flowers are also used in cooking. In Hawaii, they are one of the main flowers used in the construction of leis. Some others are plumerias, ginger, orchids, and pikake (jasmine). == Cultivation ==

Tuberoses can be overwintered outdoors in hardiness zones 8-10. In colder zones, tuberoses are grown as summer annuals, in pots or mixed-flower borders where they can be enjoyed for their scent. To flower the plants require around 4 months of warm temperatures from the time the rhizome is planted. Gardeners usually start the rhizomes in pots in greenhouses beginning in late-winter or early spring, moving them outdoors in late spring once frost danger has passed. The most popular variety is a double-flowered cultivar known as 'The Pearl' that grows to tall and features pale pink buds opening to cream. The more common variety is called 'Mexican Single', which, although not as decorative as 'The Pearl', makes for a longer lasting cut flower. == Cultural significance ==

In 1885, Oscar Wilde and the French poet Marc-André Raffalovich corresponded via letters in the The Pall Mall Gazette on whether the name tuberose should be pronounced with two syllables (as 'tube rose') or three. Raffalovich stressed that its derivation from Latin tuberosa, meaning 'knobbly-rooted', meant the latter was correct. Wilde responded defending the flower's beauty: ==Gallery==

File:Tube rose buds.jpg|Buds File:Tuberose buds.jpg|Top view of buds before blooming File:Tube rose at night view.jpg|Night view of the flower File:Tube rose at early age.jpg|Condition after about 3 weeks ==References==