Rajnigandha, tuberose - Plant

Description

Description for Rajnigandha, Polianthes Tuberosa Polianthes tuberosa, the tuberose, is a perennial plant related to the agaves, extracts of which are used as a note in perfumery. The common name derives from the Latin tuberosa, meaning swollen or tuberous in reference to it's root system. Polianthes Tuberosa (Rajnigandha), the tuberose is a perennial flowering plant (A perennial plant is a plant that lives for more than two years). Meaning of Rajanigandha is The Fragrance of the Night, it has tubular blooms with magical and seductive fragrance which is uncommon and spells magic to all who smell it. It grows in elongated spikes up to 45 cm (18 in) long that produce clusters of fragrant waxy white flowers that bloom from the bottom towards the top of the spike. It has long, bright green leaves clustered at the base of the plant and smaller, clasping leaves along the stem.

There are about fifteen species under the genus Polianthes, of which twelve species have been reported from Mexico and Central America.Of these, nine species have white flowers, one is white tinged with red and two are red. Except Polianthes tuberosa L., all the others are found growing wild.

Varieties:

There are four types of tuberoses named on the basis of the number of rows of petals they bear. They are,

• Single
• Semi-double
• Double and
• Variegated

Planting and care

• When blooms are spent and foliage is yellowed, bulbs must be dug up and stored for winter protection in northern areas. Tuberose plant info varies as to which gardening zones can leave the bulbs in the ground over the winter. All recommend spring planting, but autumn digging and storage is said by some to be necessary in all but zones 9 and 10.
• Keep the soil consistently moist before and during the period of bloom that occurs in late summer.Enrich poor soil with compost and organic amendments to increase drainage and texture for the best show of tuberose flowers. Best results of blooms come from the cultivar Mexican Single, which is highly fragrant
• needs full sun
• required medium watering
• need well-drained soil
• 70 to 75 degrees C (21 to 24 degrees C.)
• Apply any organic fertilizer

Uses

• The plant is used for ornamental purpose
• used in Ayurvedic medicines