Tuberose

Appearance

The tuberose is herbaceous, growing from underground tubers or tuberous roots. It produces offsets. The leaves are a dull green and about 1–1.5 ft long and up to 0.5 in wide at the base. They are slightly succulent. The inflorescence is a spike, reaching up to 3 ft high, with pure white waxy flowers. The flowers are tubular, with a tube up to 2.5 in long, separating into six flaring segments 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 1.5–2 ft . 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.

Naming

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

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. ''Agave amica'' '' is the only one of the species previously known as ''Polianthes'' in commercial cultivation.