Flat-leaved vanilla Plant (Vanilla planifolia) 15Cm - 20Cm Size

Flat-leaved vanilla Plant (Vanilla planifolia)

Plant Size :  15Cm - 20Cm Size

Vanilla planifolia, commonly known as Vanilla, is a species of orchid prized for its aromatic beans, which are used extensively in culinary and fragrance applications.  

Appearance: Vanilla planifolia is a climbing orchid that can reach lengths of up to 30 meters (approximately 100 feet). It has thick, succulent stems that can grow quite robustly given the right conditions. The leaves are dark green, glossy, and oblong or lanceolate in shape, typically growing in alternating patterns along the vine.

Flowers: The orchid produces delicate, pale green or yellow-green flowers that bloom in clusters along the vine. Each flower is around 5-6 centimeters in diameter and has a trumpet-like shape with a waxy texture. While visually subtle, the flowers are highly fragrant, emitting a sweet and floral scent.

Fruit and Beans: After pollination, Vanilla planifolia produces elongated, cylindrical pods or beans that grow up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. These beans are initially green and turn yellowish-green as they ripen. Inside each bean are thousands of tiny seeds embedded in a fragrant pulp. The beans are the primary reason for the plant's economic importance.

Fragrance and Flavor: The beans of Vanilla planifolia are renowned for their distinctive sweet, rich, and warm aroma, often described as creamy and slightly floral. This aroma is due to the presence of vanillin and other aromatic compounds within the beans. In culinary use, vanilla beans are used to flavor desserts, beverages, and various confections.

Cultivation: Vanilla planifolia thrives in tropical climates with high humidity and warm temperatures, typically found in regions like Mexico, Madagascar, and Tahiti. It requires a supporting structure to climb on, such as trees or poles. Cultivation is labor-intensive, involving hand-pollination of flowers and careful harvesting and curing of the beans.

Uses: Beyond culinary applications, Vanilla planifolia is used in perfumery to impart warm and sweet notes to fragrances. It is also valued in traditional medicine for its purported antioxidant and calming properties.

In essence, Vanilla planifolia is not only an economically important orchid but also a plant deeply intertwined with cultural and culinary traditions worldwide, celebrated for its aromatic beans that add a unique flavor and fragrance to a wide array of products.