Vanilla-orchid
Vanilla planifolia
Orchid family (Orchidaceae)
Climbing vanilla pods
Even within this varied family vanilla is a misfit. It is a climbing plant that can grow up to 15 m. The plant has thick, fleshy stems and large, lance-shaped leaves. Its native habitat is the tropical forests of Central America.
The fruits resemble beans (but botanically speaking they are pods) and, after undergoing a curing process, can be used as vanilla pods. After saffron, vanilla is the most expensive spice in the world. This is because its natural pollinator (a bee species of the genus Melipona) does not occur outside the vanilla orchid’s native habitat and so all flowers must be pollinated by hand.
Most vanilla is now grown in Indonesia and Madagascar.
Themes
Crown jewel in Leiden Botanic Garden, Overzee Botanic Garden and Utrecht Botanic Gardens.
Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world - after saffron.
The flowers have only a slight aroma, which does not resemble the typical scent of vanilla. After pollination, the ovary develops into a 'pod' (actually a berry) within four weeks. These fruits are harvested unripe and contain thousands of tiny, black seeds. The smell and taste is only released after the pod has been moistened, heated and then slowly dried to allow a fermentation process to occur.
Vanilla planifolia is the source of vanilla, one of the most popular flavours in the world. The tiny seeds, whole fruit or extract of vanilla are used as flavouring agents in food, particularly in confectionery and sweet foods.
Vanilla is used in perfumes, cigars and liqueurs.
Vanilla was first used by the Aztec people in Mexico to flavour cocoa. It was subsequently introduced to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century and later to Madagascar by the French in the 19th century.
Pollinators are the euglossine bees, also called orchid bees or long-tongued bees.
In rare cases vanilla can cause allergic reactions when eaten or applied to the skin. ‘Vanillism’ is a condition sometimes experienced by workers handling vanilla, the symptoms of which are headache, dermatitis and insomnia.
Vanilla is used as a medicine and as a stimulant.
Details
Description: | Herbaceous climber, up to 30 m. |
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Distributions: | Eastern mexico and the caribbean watersheds of guatemala, belize and honduras |
Habitat: | Tropical evergreen forests. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
Hardiness: | 34 - 41 f (tender - cool or frost-free glasshouse) |
Flowering period: | April - juni |
Flower color: | Green, white, yellow |
Notes on flowers: | The orchid has greenish flowers that have a slight scent but with no element of the vanilla flavour or aroma. |
At its best: | Mei - juni |