The “double pearl” variety, holds up better as cut and lei flowers. The flowers are beautiful on their own but it's the fragrant exotic scent that makes them special.

The “double pearl” variety, holds up better as cut and lei flowers. The flowers are beautiful on their own but it's the fragrant exotic scent that makes them special.

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) is a night-blooming plant thought to be native to Mexico. It is one of the flowers that continue to produce and exhale perfume long after it has been picked. Aztec healers called it Omixochitl [bone-flower] due to the waxy, luminous white flowers that actually contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. Tuberose may grow wild in Mexico and surrounding countries, but the cultivation of tuberose is usually in Morocco, the Comores Islands, France, Hawaii, South Africa, India, and China.

In an altar-like setting, the bronze Thai meditating Buddha is flanked by a pair of small glass vases with double flower Azucenas. Behind the icon is a composition of Buddhist amulets.

In an altar-like setting, the bronze Thai meditating Buddha is flanked by a pair of small glass vases with double flower Azucenas. Behind the icon is a composition of Buddhist amulets.

The legend of the tuberose in France warns that young girls should not breathe in its fragrance after dark for fear that it would put them in a romantic mood. In India, tuberose is known as rat ki rani, “The Mistress of the Night” for similar reasons. In Ayurvedic medicine, they are held in high esteem not only for their exquisite fragrance, but their healing properties. Tuberose is known to improve one’s capacity for emotional depth. By opening the crown chakra it improves psychic powers. Tuberose also amplifies artistic inspiration as it stimulates the creative right side of the brain. And it brings serenity to the mind and heart.

Single flower Azucena is a lot more pungent than the double flower Azucena.

Single flower Azucena is a lot more pungent than the double flower Azucena.

It is a prominent plant in Indian culture and mythology. The flowers are used in wedding ceremonies, garlands, decoration and various traditional rituals. It’s Hindi name is “Rajnigandha”, meaning “Night-Fragrant”. In Bengali, it is called “Rojoni-Gondha”, meaning “Scent of the Night”. In parts of South India, it is known as “Sugandaraja”, which translates to “king of fragrance/smell”. In Singapore it is called Xinxiao which means “that on which the moth rests”. In Indonesia it is called “Bunga Sedap Malam”, meaning fragrant night flower. In Tamil Nadu it is called as Sambangi or Nilasambangi and traditionally used in all type of garlanding especially in south Indian marriages. In Cuba, Philippines and other Spanish colonies, it is called “Azucena” which is the name given to Amaryllis in Mexico.

A very casual arrangement of single flower Azucenas, roses and snap dragons in a cylindrical glass vase in front of an antique Chinese painting.

A very casual arrangement of single flower Azucenas, roses and snap dragons in a cylindrical glass vase in front of an antique Chinese painting.

The Azucena flowers don't stay on their stems for a long time. They fall from their stem even when they are still fresh and fragrant. I collect these and put them in a jigger.

The Azucena flowers don't stay on their stems for a long time. They fall from their stem even when they are still fresh and fragrant. I collect these and put them in a jigger.