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 its root system. Polianthes means "many flowers" in Greek. In Mexican Spanish, the flower is called nardo or vara de San José, which means "St. Joseph’s staff". This plant is called as rajanigandha in India, which means 'fragrant at night'. It is called kupaloke in Hawaiian.