The Night Queen Tuberose

01/31/08 12:10:29

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) is a perennial plant of the agave family; tuberose and rose have nothing in common. Tuberose got its name because of its tuberous root. Tuberose is cognate to narcissus. It originates from Mexico and due to its scent Indians were using it as an ingredient for their chocolate drinks.

Tuberose reaches up to 120cm of height and its top is adorned with gorgeous waxy white flowers. Its leaves look like grass and it defoliates every season. Tuberose blooms from August to September and the buds are picked as soon as they open. Tuberose is night flower and just like most of white flowers it is pollinated by moths.

The absolute is produced by effleurage method using soft wax. Wax absorbs the scent which is on the later stage distilled by alcohol. The method enfleurage is rarely used today, but with tuberose it is the most efficient method as tuberose belong to the group of flowers which preserve their scent when picked. Unfortunately, it is a quite costly method and therefore the usual method today is extraction.

Tuberose is cultivated in India, Egypt and France, with India being the major exporter. There are two species of tuberose – simple and double. In fragrance production the simple species is more significant as it has better aroma. It takes 3500 flowers to produce 1 kg of absolute. Tuberose absolute is orange dense liquid with intense and heavy exotic scent with fruity and even spicy nuance. Its floral note resembles nuances f orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, geranium and stephanotis.

Tuberose is used in fragrances for women, mainly in the middle notes. This fragile flower is a symbol of passion and delight. Tuberose as a central note can be found in Organza (Givenchy), Fragile (JP Gaultier), and Tuberose No1 (Club Parfumerie).

Information : ClubParfumerie

Author: jeca (jeca)
Fragrantica Member