Blossoming enchantress

by Elizabeth Shaheen
Last year I made a superlative purchase from the Omani stand at the Bahrain International Garden Show.

This was the prized tuber Polianthes tuberosa, more commonly known as the tuberose.

A member of 13 species of this sun-loving genus Polianthes from the Agavaceae family, the tuberose is a clump-forming perennial native to Mexico, but has become so naturalised in India that it is often claimed to be its original habitat.

The name derives from the Latin tuberose, meaning swollen or tuberous, referring to its root system.

The ancient Aztecs held it sacred to their goddess of art, beauty and love and called it Omixochitl, meaning bone flower.

The conquest of Mexico in the 1520s resulted in many samples of Mexico’s flora being sent to the New World.

Among them was Polianthes tuberosa, which arrived in Europe as early as 1629.

By the end of the century it had become one of the most revered garden flowers in France, as much for its scent as for its beauty, playing a leading role in many parterres in the period of Louis XIV, whom in fact ordered the planting of thousands of tuberoses in the gardens at the Trianon.

This swooningly fragrant, single-petalled exotic plant bears a mass of heady, sweetly flowers laced with a spicy aroma.

The fragrance from a single stem will perfume a room. The fragrance is similar to that of jasmine, yet more intoxicating.

The white flowers open from the bottom towards the top of the spike and are of a waxy texture and star-shaped.

There is a double form “Pearl” with its buds kissed, rose pink.

The Mexican original’s elongated flower stems attain a height of three feet, whereas “Pearl” bears 18-inch stems.

Tuberose presents its semi-erect, narrow, linear leaves from a basal rosette with smaller clasping leaves running-up each stem. These are coloured a pale, yet bright green.

The legend of the bewitching tuberose in France warns that young girls would be reckless to inhale its fragrance after dark, as it would likely ignite a romantic, passionate frame of mind.

In East India, it is known as Rat ki rani, for “the mistress of the night” or “Queen of the night” bearing the same connotations as for the French legend.

In Bangladesh, it is named “Rojoni-Gondha” for “scent of the night”; while in Singapore, it bears the endearing title Xiniao, which translates to “that on which the moth rests”.

In Iran, it is the namesake of the popular girls’ name “Mariam”.

The Hawaiians use the flowers in bridal leis; and in Victorian times, it was the source of the decidedly Victorian perfume “Tuberose”.

When it was also an in-vogue conservatory plant, but then it lost its appeal, perhaps due to the fact it became associated as a funeral flower.

Shelly, referred to it as “the sweetest flower for scent that blows”.

In many cultures, it is perceived as a symbol of voluptuousness!

In Ayurvedic medicine, attars (essential oils) are held in high esteem, not only for their beautiful fragrance but also for their healing powers. Tuberose is reputed to increase one’s facility for emotional depth and is used in meditation. Its calming, uplifting properties induce serenity to the mind and heart.

It is said to open up the crown chakra, improving psychic powers. In addition, by stimulating the creative side of the brain, it triggers or intensifies artistic inspiration.

However, in truth, there is no essential oil of tuberose, it is an absolute.

Because tuberose is unable to withstand the high temperature of water/steam distillation, a solvent, generally hexane, is used.

By their very nature, absolutes are highly concentrated oils.

Unless you are familiar with the undiluted fragrance of tuberose, it should be diluted, as the complexity of the fragrance - primarily its rare, earthy, exotic notes - is lost.

The thick, sticky oil is of a deep, blushing orange colour. The oil is expensive, but is an important ingredient in many perfumes and aromatic commodities, as it blends admirably with other oils and the combinations are endless and very much to do with individual preference.

Plant the tuberose where you can easily pause to inhale its divine perfume. Perhaps on a patio or to ribbon a walkway, or plant one in a container near the front door.

Plant the tubers two inches deep and six to eight inches apart in spring.

In some regions, the foliage after flowering turns yellow and dies back. Ours haven’t done this and flowered in summer and again in early February. We are still enjoying the blooms in March.

Ours are planted in areas that receive poor drainage in full sun. For they enjoy a moist soil. I have not found it necessary to lift and dry off the bulbs, as instructed by material I have read on the tuberose and by leaving them undisturbed, they have multiplied beautifully.

It is said that once a tuber has flowered that it will not flower again and should therefore be lifted and discarded.

If this is indeed the case, for I cannot verify this, I have left those that have bloomed to make babies and I am unable to tell baby from parent plant.

Although we have not experienced a problem with aphids, it is said that they can be attracted to the plant.

I take great pleasure in cutting a stem for my husband’s office and for friends to take home after a coffee in the garden.

You can purchase cut stems of this enchantress from Bahrain’s flower shops and Jawad’s supermarket to perfume your home or office and indulge in its intoxicating fragrance.
Elizabeth Shaheen - GDN - 25 Mar, ‘07