The vanilla orchids (genus Vanilla) include about 110 flowering species in the family Orchidaceae that grow as lianas (woody vines).They are native mostly to wet tropical forests world-wide, although absent in Australia. The center of their diversity is the American tropics.The best-known species, the flat-leaved vanilla (V. planifolia), from which commercial vanilla flavoring is derived is the only orchid industrially produced for food and cosmetic purposes.It is native to the Mexico and Central America and its use has been documented by Aztecs and Mayans (Rodolphe et al. 2011; Kew RBG 2013). Another species often grown commercially but not on an industrial scale is the Pompona vanilla, V. pompona(Wikipedia 2013).Flavoring is extracted from the mature, dried pods and seeds (Kew RBG 2013).
Vanillas form long thin stems up to 35 m (115 feet) in length, with short, oblong, thick, leathery dark green leaves alternating along the vine and long aerial roots growing down from each node.A number of species have leaves reduced to scales and some with leaves absent completely so the vine is thought to photosynthesize using their green climbing stems. While most Vanilla species grow in warm wet conditions, these 18 or so leafless species are adapted to dry habitats. One exception to the lianescent form is the species V. dietschiana which grows to about 35 cm high, which has been considered different genus (Dictyophyllaria) because of its different morphology (Rodolphe et al. 2011).
There may be up to 100 flowers on a single Vanilla raceme, but usually no more than 20. The flowers are large and attractive with white, green, greenish yellow or cream colors and most have a sweet scent (although not the scent of commercial vanilla, which comes from the seed).A flower blooms only for one day, after which it falls off the stalk if not pollinated.The flowers are self-fertile but most require pollinators, which are now thought to be mostly bees; in Central America large euglossine bees. Vanilla species do not produce nectar as pollination rewards, instead pollinators collect pollen, oils and flower fragrance and/or are tricked into pollinating flowers with no reward. Hand pollination is the most reliable method of fertilizing commercially grown Vanilla (Rodolphe et al. 2011).
The fruit, called a "vanilla bean" is not a true bean, but rather a capsule 10–20cm long, which encloses millions of tiny seeds. It ripens gradually several months after flowering, eventually turning black in color and giving off a strong aroma, and the dehiscent pod pops open allowing seeds (usually coated with sticky oil) to be dispersed by mammals, birds and insects, and in some cases by wind or simply gravity (Rodolphe et al. 2011).
The larvae of some Lepidoptera species, such as the wooly bear moths Hypercompe eridanus and H. icasia use Vanilla species as food plants (Rodolphe et al. 2011).
Vanilla, the vanilla orchids, forms a flowering plant genus of about 110 species in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The most widely known member is the flat-leaved vanilla (V. planifolia), native to Mexico and Belize,[2] from which commercial vanilla flavoring is derived. It is the only orchid widely used for industrial purposes in flavoring such products as foods, beverages and cosmetics, and is recognized as the most popular aroma and flavor.[3] The key constituent imparting its flavour is the phenolic aldehyde, vanillin.[4]
This evergreen genus occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, from tropical America to tropical Asia, New Guinea and West Africa.[1] Five species are known from the contiguous United States, all limited to southern Florida.[5]
The genus was established in 1754 by Plumier, based on J. Miller. The word vanilla, derived from the diminutive of the Spanish word vaina (vaina itself meaning sheath or pod), simply translates as little pod.
This genus of vine-like plants has a monopodial climbing habitus. They can form long thin stems with a length of more than 35 m, with alternate leaves spread along their length. The short, oblong, dark green leaves of Vanilla are thick and leathery, even fleshy in some species. But there are also a significant number of species that have their leaves reduced to scales or have become nearly or totally leafless and appear to use their green climbing stems for photosynthesis. Long and strong aerial roots grow from each node.
The racemose inflorescence's short-lived flowers 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 less than 20. The flowers are quite large and attractive with white, green, greenish yellow or cream colors. The flowers' sepals and petals are similar. The lip is tubular-shaped and surrounds the long, bristly 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 stigma, separated by the rostellum. Most Vanilla flowers have a sweet scent.
Blooming occurs only when the flowers are fully grown. Each flower opens up in the morning and closes late in the afternoon on the same day, never to reopen. If pollination has not occurred meanwhile, it will be shed. The flowers are self-fertile, but need pollinators to perform this task. In the Neotropics, the flowers were historically presumed to be pollinated by stingless bees (e.g. Melipona) or hummingbirds, but this was never confirmed; the only actual documented pollination (i.e., producing seed set) is recorded for an orchid bee, Eulaema meriana, visiting Vanilla grandiflora in Peru,[6] and pollinia of Vanilla species have been observed attached to other species of Eulaema in Panama,[7] and pollinia of Vanilla pompona are carried by males of Eulaema cingulata in Peru.[8] Hand pollination is the most reliable method in commercially grown vanilla.[9] Vanilla plantations require trees for the orchids to climb and anchor by its roots.[9]
The fruit is termed "vanilla bean", though true beans are fabaceous eudicots not at all closely related to orchids. Rather, the vanilla fruit is technically an elongate, fleshy and later dehiscent capsule 10–20 cm long. It ripens gradually for 8 to 9 months after flowering, eventually turning black in color and giving off a strong aroma. Each pod contains thousands of minute seeds, and both the pods and seeds within are used to create vanilla flavoring. Vanilla beans are harvested by hand from commercial orchards.[9]
Vanilla species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, such as the woolly bear moths Hypercompe eridanus and H. icasia. Off-season or when abandoned, they may serve as habitat for animals of open forest, e.g. on the Comoros for Robert Mertens's day gecko (Phelsuma robertmertensi).
The taxonomy of the genus Vanilla is complex.[10]
This is a partial list of species or synonyms:
Regarded as the world's most popular aroma and flavor,[12] vanilla contains the phenolic aldehyde, vanillin, as well as anisaldehyde, together accounting for its predominant sensory characteristics.[4] Vanilla is a widely used aroma and flavor compound for foods, beverages and cosmetics,[3][12] as indicated by its popularity as an ice cream flavor.[13]
Vanilla, the vanilla orchids, forms a flowering plant genus of about 110 species in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The most widely known member is the flat-leaved vanilla (V. planifolia), native to Mexico and Belize, from which commercial vanilla flavoring is derived. It is the only orchid widely used for industrial purposes in flavoring such products as foods, beverages and cosmetics, and is recognized as the most popular aroma and flavor. The key constituent imparting its flavour is the phenolic aldehyde, vanillin.
This evergreen genus occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, from tropical America to tropical Asia, New Guinea and West Africa. Five species are known from the contiguous United States, all limited to southern Florida.
The genus was established in 1754 by Plumier, based on J. Miller. The word vanilla, derived from the diminutive of the Spanish word vaina (vaina itself meaning sheath or pod), simply translates as little pod.
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