Polianthes tuberosa

Tuberous

TUBEROUS
Scientific Name: Polianthes tuberosa L. Family Name: AMARYLLIDACEAE. Common Name: Tuberous.

An herbaceous plant with a brown colored tuberous stump. The stump develops young bulbs. The leaves are smooth, the stem is plain, green with red highlights, ranging on the average from 1 m to 1.2 m high. The flowers are waxy white and slightly full-bodied on the borders, grouped in loose spikes, and do not bloom simultaneously. They range from 5 to 6 centimeters in length and bear a very vague resemblance to the hyacinth flower.

It was originated from Persia, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, India, and Grasse.

This tuberous is a plant require extra care. Each year the crop must be unearthed so as to keep the shallow bulbs from frost and the root from rotting. The blooming period is from late July up until the cold season.

The essential oil is extracted by enfleurage up until the last decade and recently via solvent extraction. It constituents are benzyl alcohol, tuberone, methyl and benzyl benzoate, methyl salicylate and methyl anthranilate. It odor is sweet, floral, penetrating and heavy. The essential oil is dark orange.

It is widely used in perfumery as a middle/base note. The tuberous flower is much sought for use as a cut flower because of the length of its spike.

Tuberous flower