Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews
Commercial Vanilla, Flat Leaved Vanilla
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Epidendrum rubrum, Notylia planifolia
Vanilla planifolia, Commercial Vanilla, is native to Mexico, Central America and the West Indies and is the primary source for vanilla flavoring. This orchid has been cultivated for centuries and escaped or naturalized in many areas of the tropics, including south Florida. Vines can exceed 30 m in length with roots and one oblong leaf per node. The inflorescence develops laterally from the leaf axil with short-lived yellowish green flowers lasting less than a day. The tubular lip is striped yellow and deeply fringed at the apex. This orchid may have been introduced into southern Florida through Indian bartering in pre-Columbian times and can be found growing on trees in cypress swamps and hammocks.
The conservation status for Vanilla planifolia has not been reported and this orchid is widely cultivated in Madagascar, Mexico, Tahiti and Indonesia.
Pollination
This orchid is pollinated by several species of bees including Euglossa viridissima, Eulaema cingulata, Eulaema polychroma, Eulaema meriana and Melipona beecheii.
Ecosystem Type
Swamps
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- epiphyte
- Leaf arrangement:
-
- alternate
- stem
- Number of leaves on stem:
- seven or more
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is fringed
- Main color of labellum:
-
- green to brown
- yellow
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
-
- the labellum is fringed
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- Up to 40 mm
- Sepal length:
- 35–55 mm
Native to North America
No
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | N/A |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |