Vanilla abundiflora
J. J. Smith
Orchidaceae Edible: Fruit, Spice
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Description
An orchid. It is a succulent herb. The stems are 10-20 m long. The leaf blade is long oval shaped and 25 cm long by 9 cm wide. The flowers occur as large white flowers in a string. The fruit is 25 cm long by 2 cm wide and is yellow-brown.
Edible Uses
The seedpods can be used as a food flavouring like vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), though their fragrance is less strong.
Traditional Uses
The fruit can be used like vanilla beans for their flavouring.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in moderately dense forest on swampy land.
Where It Grows
Asia, Indonesia, SE Asia,
Notes
There are about 100 Vanilla species.
References (3)
- Hanelt, P., et al, (Eds.), 2001, Mansfield's encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops. Springer p 2309
- PROSEA handbook Volume 13 Spices. p 265
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
