Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1884 — The Introduction of the Tuberose. [ARTICLE]

The Introduction of the Tuberose.

The tuberose is a native of the East, and Linnasua gave it the name of Polianthes, from two Greek words signifying. a town and a flower, because it is generally cultivated and sold in towns. It was iirst brought from Persia into France in 1632. It was then but single, and double flowers were not produced till long afterward by a skillful florist of Bevden, named Secour. It has since spread all over the world. In Russia indeed, it flowers only for sovereign

and those who are rich; bnt in Peru it has become naturalized, and grows there without culture. The flower of the tuberose grows on the top of a very tall, slender stem, is of white color, sometimes tinged with a blush of pink. Its perfume is delicious, rich and powerful. If you would enjoy it fully, keep at some distance from the plant. It contains a poison, tradition says, and this is probably the origin of the legend that you have more delight in inhaling the perfume at a distance than in approaching too near. The flower, itself,. however, is in South America joined with the nasturtium qs a bosom adornment for ladies. It is the emblem of “dangerous pleasures.”