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:''For other uses, see [[vanilla (disambiguation)]].''
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Vanilla Orchid
| image = Vanilla1web.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Vanilla planifolia''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Monocotyledon|Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
| familia = [[Orchidaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Vanilloideae]]
| tribus = Vanilleae
| subtribus = Vanillinae
| genus = '''''Vanilla''''' (Plumier ex. [[Philip Miller|Mill.]], [[1754]])
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
[[List of vanilla species|List of ''Vanilla'' species]]
}}

'''''Vanilla''''' is a [[genus]] of about 110 species in the orchid family ([[Orchidaceae]]), including the species ''Vanilla planifolia'' from which commercial [[vanilla]] flavoring is derived. The name came from the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] word "vainilla", diminutive form of "vaina" (meaning "[[sheath]]"), which is in turn derived from [[Latin]] "[[vagina]]".

This evergreen genus occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, from tropical America to tropical Asia, New Guinea and West Africa. It was known to the [[Aztec]]s for its flavoring qualities. It is also grown commercially (esp. ''Vanilla planifolia'', ''Vanilla pompona'' and ''Vanilla tahitensis'').
[[Image:Vanilla planifolia.jpg|thumb|left|''Vanilla planifolia'' - habit]]
This genus of [[vine]]-like plants has a [[monopodial]] climbing habit. They can form long vines with a length of more than 35 m, with alternate [[Leaf|leaves]] spread along its length. The short, oblong, dark green leaves of the ''Vanilla'' are thick and leathery, even fleshy in some species, though there are a significant number of species that have their leaves reduced to [[scale (zoology)|scale]]s or have become nearly or totally leafless and appear to use their green climbing stems for [[photosynthesis]]. Long and strong [[aerial root]]s grow from each node.

The racemose [[inflorescence]]s short-lived [[flower]]s arise successively on short peduncles from the leaf axils or scales. There may be up to 100 flowers on a single raceme, but usually no more than 20. The flowers are quite large and attractive with white, green, greenish yellow or cream colors. Their [[sepal]]s and [[petal]]s are similar. Each flower opens up in the morning and closes late in the afternoon, never to re-open. If pollination has not occurred meanwhile, it will be shed.

The [[labellum|lip]] is tubular-shaped and surrounds the long, bristly [[column (botany)|column]], opening up, as the bell of a trumpet, at its apex. The [[anther]] is at the top of the column and hangs over the [[carpel|stigma]], separated by the rostellum. Blooming occurs only when the flowers are fully grown. Most species have a sweet scent. The flowers are self-fertile but need pollinators to perform this task. The flowers are presumed to be pollinated by stingless bees and certain hummingbirds, which visit the flowers primarily for its [[nectar]]. But hand pollination is the best method in commercially grown ''Vanilla''.
[[Image:Baunilha1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Vanilla planifolia - close-up]]
The fruit ('[[vanilla]] bean') is an elongate, fleshy seed pod 10-20 cm long. It ripens gradually (8 to 9 months after flowering), eventually turning black in color and giving off a strong aroma. Each pod contains thousands of minute seeds, but it is the pod that is used to create vanilla flavoring. Significantly, ''Vanilla planifolia'' is the only orchid used for industrial purposes (in the food industry and in the cosmetic industry).

''Vanilla'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Hypercompe|Hypercompe eridanus]]'' and ''[[Hypercompe|Hypercompe icasia]]''.

Species with common names :
* ''[[Vanilla aphylla]]'': Leafless Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla barbellata]]'': Small Bearded Vanilla, Wormvine Orchid, Leafless Vanilla, Snake Orchid.
* ''[[Vanilla chamissonis]]'': Chamisso's Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla claviculata]]'': Green Withe
* ''[[Vanilla dilloniana]]'': Leafless Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla edwallii]]'': Edwall's Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla mexicana]]'': Mexican Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla odorata]]'': Inflated Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla phaeantha]]'': Leafy Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla planifolia]]'': Vanilla, Flat-plane Leaved Vanilla, West Indian Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla poitaei]]'': Poit's Vanilla
* ''[[Vanilla siamensis]]'': Thai Vanilla

[[Image:Map Vanilla.png|thumb|centre|400px|Worldwide distribution of ''Vanilla'' species.]]

== External link ==
*[http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/kings/vanilla.html Overview of Vanilla, from King's American Dispensatory, 1898]

{{Commons|Vanilla}}

[[Category:Orchid genera]]
[[Category:Pollination management]]

Vanilla (orchid) - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 09:43, 12 September 2007