Vanilla

CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Climber, Vine & Liana, Epiphyte
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
BIOGEOGRAPHY
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
DESCRIPTION AND ETHNOBOTANY
Growth Form A herbaceous climber, growing up to 15 m in height.
Foliage Leaves arranged alternately along the stem, about 1 – 2 cm thick. These leaves are fleshy and sessile (no petiole), oblong – elliptical to lanceolate shaped.
Cultivation It is best grown in a warm and humid environment, in partial sunlight on well-drained soil.
Etymology The genus Vanilla means little sheath, which refers to the fruit. The specific epithet planifolia means flat-leaves.
LANDSCAPING FEATURES
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Plant & Rootzone Preference – Tolerance Dry Soils / Drought, Well-Drained Soils
Landscape Uses Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Parks & Gardens, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall
FAUNA, POLLINATION AND DISPERSAL
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee))
PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION
Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Little Water
Propagation Method Stem Cutting
FOLIAR
Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, Yellow / Golden
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thick
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Sessile
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire
FLORAL (ANGIOSPERM)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Flowering Period Rarely
OTHERS
Master ID 236
Species ID 1532
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.