Global InformationVanilla polylepis information
| Vanilla polylepis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Vanilloideae |
| Genus: | Vanilla |
| Species: | V. polylepis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Vanilla polylepis Summerh.
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Vanilla schliebenii Summerh. | |
Vanilla polylepis is a climbing orchid species in the plant family Orchidaceae.[1] It is native to tropical Africa, with a range spanning the width of the continent, from Kenya to Angola.[1] It grows in high-altitude evergreen and swamp forests between 1,200–1,500 m (3,900–4,900 ft) and is often found growing on trees bordering rivers and waterfalls.[2] Plants produce bright green, fleshy stems, 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in) in diameter, with large, glossy leaves.[2] White, aerial roots form on the stems allowing the orchids to attach themselves to trees for support.[3] As with many orchids, they produce showy flowers, which in the case of V. polylepis are white and yellow with a pink to maroon blotch. This differentiates them from similar species.[4] They have seedpod-like fruits, called capsules, which produce a distinctive aroma as they dry.[2] They are closely related to the well-known species Vanilla planifolia, whose seed pods are used commercially in the production of vanilla flavouring.[5]
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