South American vanilla, Brazilian vanilla
Vanilla gardneri

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

A creeping orchid plant. It has a succulent stem and can be climbing. The stem can be 7 m long. Aerial roots can be produced from the stem nodes. The fruit is a seed pod.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit is used to adulterate true vanilla. The fruit are also used as a spice.

It is a minor commercial source of vanilla.

Edible parts

Fruit, fruit - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Vanilla carinata Rolfe;