White vanilla
Vanilla albida

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

A climbing plant. The stems are 3 m long. They are fleshy and have internodes 5-10 cm long. The fleshy leaves are along the stem. They are sword shaped and alternate. There are 6-12 flowers in a group. They have a triangle shaped bract. The flowers are 7.5 cm long. The fruit are curved cylinder shaped pods 10 cm long. They have oval seeds 1.5 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forests on rocks by waterfalls. It grows up to 1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit have a sweet taste and can be eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Akar penubal, Ngot khao, Telinga kerbau

Synonyms

Vanilla griffithii Rchb. f