Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Vanielje plant, Flat-leaved vanilla, Tahitian vanilla, West Indian vanilla

Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid)

Distribution: Central America

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Life form: Epiphytic

Comments: The fruits are 15-23 cm long pods (often incorrectly called beans). They mature after about five months, at which point they are harvested and cured. Curing ferments and dries the pods while minimising the loss of essential oils.