Vanilla orchids

Vanilla species are epiphytic climbers or climbing lithophytes from wet tropical and subtropical climates. They occur from south Mexico to north Brazil, south Florida to the Caribbean, south-east China to north Indo-China, Taiwan and other listed regions at elevations from 20 to 530 metres. Plants are large or giant and prefer hot or intermediate temperatures. Most species are fragrant and bloom in spring, summer or winter.

27 species and 5 hybrids are catalogued. Example species include Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla perrieri, Vanilla dilloniana, Vanilla pompona and Vanilla odorata. Registered hybrids include Vanilla Planifolia - Orhideea De Vanilie and D8.