Vanilla planifolia

Vanilla planifolia is a species of vanilla orchid native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Brazil. It is one of the primary sources for vanilla flavouring, due to its high vanillin content. Common names include flat-leaved vanilla and West Indian vanilla (which is also used for the Pompona vanilla, V. pompona), though it is often simply referred to as vanilla. It was first scientifically named in 1808. Vanilla planifolia played a large role in the early rural economy throughout Mexico and by the 20th century had become a widely cultivated crop across the world. With the species' population in decline and its habitats being converted to other purposes, the IUCN has assessed Vanilla planifolia as Endangered.

Description

A climbing orchid. The vine is fleshy and climbs by means of roots. It can climb to 10-15 m high. It is 1-2 cm across and flexible but easily broken. There are 5-15 cm between nodes. It is often trained to a lower height to allow easier pollination and harvesting. Aerial roots arise from the stem opposite the leaves. These are white and 2 mm across. They attach to supports. It has long pointed fleshy leaves. They have almost no stalk and can be 8-25 cm long by 2-8 cm wide. The tip of the leaf is pointed and the base is rounded. The flowers are greenish yellow and large and waxy. They occur in groups of up to 30 in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a long fleshy pod with small black seeds inside.

Edible Uses

The seedpods are used cooked as a flavouring in a wide range of foods including ice creams, confectionery, baked goods, and puddings. The pods contain about 3.5% vanillin. A pod placed in sugar will diffuse its flavour into the sugar, which is then used as a sweet flavouring particularly in cakes and desserts. The fruit itself is a dark-brown, three-angled capsule measuring 15–28cm long and containing many small seeds.

Traditional Uses

The pods are used to flavour foods. The flavour is extracted in alcohol. They are used to flavour chocolate, ice cream, milk shakes, and sweet dishes.

Medicinal Uses

Traditionally, the seedpods are used as an aphrodisiac, carminative, emmenagogue, and stimulant. They are said to reduce or cure fevers, spasms, and caries. Vanilla extracts, especially tinctures as described in pharmacopoeias, are used in pharmaceutical preparations such as syrups, primarily as a flavouring agent.

Known Hazards

Calcium oxalate crystals are present in the plant, which may cause dermatitis in vanilla workers.(Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction )

Distribution

A tropical plant. It needs a warm moist climate. The best temperature is between 21-32°C with an average around 27°C. It will grow up to at least 1,000 m altitude. It does best with an evenly distributed rainfall of 2,000-5,000 mm per year. Ideally it should have 2 drier months to allow the flowers to develop. Light shade is necessary. It needs a well drained location and lots of humus and organic matter to grow in. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bougainville, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Honduras*, India, Indonesia, Japan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mexico*, Myanmar, Niue, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, West Africa, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from cuttings in a layer of rotting plant material and forest debris. It needs a pole to climb and should have light shade. When the vine extends along a branch it is pulled down to promote flowering. The flowers need to be hand pollinated in the early morning. It is most successful on a sunny morning following rain. Using a small match sized stick the pollen is removed by squeezing the flower then putting the pollen onto the sticky stigma. Flowering tends to be seasonal and occur once per year during the drier months. If fertile cross-pollinated seed is required, it is necessary to cross pollinate the plants. (In Mexico small bees in the genus Melapona naturally pollinate vanilla)

Propagation

Seed should be surface-sown, preferably as soon as it is ripe, without allowing the compost to dry out. The seed is extremely simple in structure, consisting of a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells with very little food reserve. It depends on a symbiotic relationship with a fungal species whose hyphae invade the seed and enter the embryo's cells, providing nutrition until the plant can draw nutrients from decaying soil material. To establish this relationship, sow seed around an existing plant of the same species or incorporate soil from around established plants. Grow seedlings undisturbed until large enough to move. Cuttings should be 90–120cm long with at least three leaf nodes, set in loose, friable soil without deep burial to avoid rot; new shoots develop after 30–40 days. Longer cuttings of 1.5–2 metres can be taken at any time of year, though the end of the dry season is preferred. These are kept loosely coiled in a dry, shady place for 2–3 weeks before insertion in open compost, with new shoots appearing after 30–40 days.

Other Uses

The seedpod is used in the manufacture of perfumes and soaps.

Production

Fertilised flowers produce pods in 6 weeks. The pods are ready for harvest about 9 months after pollination. This is indicated by the pods turning slightly yellow at the end. The beans are partly dried and allowed to sweat to increase flavour. They are normally sweated for 2-3 weeks then dried. They become dark brown in colour.

Other Information

It is grown commercially in a few lowland areas of Papua New Guinea. It is also commercial cultivated in some other tropical countries.

Notes

There are about 50 Vanilla species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Hpyaw-ye-thitkwa, Vainella, Vainilla, Vaniglia

References (50)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 668
• Andrews, Bot. Repos. 8:pl. 538. 1808 [As Jacks.]
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 210
• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 285
• Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 1. Kew.

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