TUBEROSE

Description

Oh that incredible fragrance!

This diva of the perfume world unfurls up to 50 demure pastel florets per spike, while seducing the air with its creamy, bold, gardenia-on-steroids scent. The waxy, tube-shaped single or double flowers are 1–2" (2.5–5 cm) and borne in pairs on sturdy stems 24–36" (0.6–1 m) tall. Each spike grows from a bulb, with a rosette of semi-succulent, bright green leaves at its base. The plants are tender perennials and bloom only at night.

Tuberoses are used as both whole spikes and individual florets, much like stephanotis. They give an aromatic boost to every design, from centerpiece to corsage, and the scent lasts several days.

Sensitive to ethylene only at high concentrations. May be dried with a desiccant such as silica gel.

Colors: White, cream pastel pink, purple, yellow

Special Care

Whatever flowers are open at harvest will determine the longevity of the entire spike, so choose straight, healthy stems with 50–75% of flowers open. Make sure the bottom flowers are still full and unblemished. Flowers on thicker stems will last longer than those on slender stems. Proper pre-treatment includes recutting stems and pulsing for 24 hours with 20% sucrose solution at room temperature. Pulsing is placing flowers in floral solution with sugars to boost their energy stores and extend their vase life. Spikes may then be stored at 32–41° F (0–5°C) for no more than a few days; any longer can dull the fragrance and stunt the unopened buds.

When bringing out of storage, recut stems and place in a sugar-containing preservative, but don’t use an anti-ethylene agent. Consumers should maintain tuberoses in flower food solution, refreshing every other day, to maximize energy, bloom and fragrance.

Fun Facts:

• Tuberoses are among the bestselling florist flowers worldwide.

• Tuberose is a cultigen (not found in the wild), grown by the ancient Aztecs. They called it "omixochitl," and one of its reported uses was intensifying the flavor of another New World botanical wonder: chocolate.

• Once the Europeans arrived in Mexico in the 16th century, they took tuberoses with them to Europe and other colonies. Tuberoses swept the French perfume world off its feet. Centuries later, it still is; Giorgio and Fracas are among the modern fragrances that exude tuberose’s sensual oomph.

• Many “tuberose” scents now bloom only in labs. However, tuberose is still a commercial crop in both France and India, and the natural fragrance (absolute), produced by marinating florets in oil then distilling, is still among the most prized—and pricey—in the world. It takes over a ton (900kg plus) of tuberose flowers to produce less than half a pound (about 200g) of tuberose absolute. A single ounce (28g) costs upwards of $600 (€540).

• Tuberoses have spread their passion around the globe for hundreds of years. Their intensity inspired their use as funeral flowers in parts of Asia and in Victorian times, but in more recent history they have become a wedding favorite. Traditional brides In Hawaii wear tuberose-blossom leis, and tuberoses are popular décor and personal adornments for weddings in Indian and Western cultures as well.

• Tuberose plants are not related to roses by genus, appearance or fragrance, but they do have tube-shaped florets and grows from tubers.

• The botanical name is a mashup of the Greek polianthes, meaning “multi-flowered,” and the Latin tuberosa, which means “swollen root,” or tuber. In Mexico, the tuberose is called vara de San José (St. Joseph’s staff), or nardo, after the Christian Bible story of Mary Magdalene rubbing a precious perfumed oil called nardo on Jesus’ feet. In India it is rajanigandha, and in Indonesia it is sedap malam; both mean “aromatic at night.” 

• Though tuberoses bring joy to the eye and nose, the stomach is another story. Ingestion will cause you or your pet a purging bellyache, but no long-term damage.

• In the Victorian “Language of Flowers,” the tuberose symbolizes dangerous pleasures. Young girls were discouraged from smelling it, to prevent awakening erotic urges.

• The tuberose is a member of the Agavoideae family (a subfamily of the Asparagaceae family) which also includes yucca, hosta and agave.