Vanilla Plum. ex Mill.

Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit

Scrambling, epiphytic lianes bearing adventitious roots arising at the nodes and opposite the leaves, if any

Morphology Stem

Stems usually terete, occasionally channelled, succulent, deep olive- or blue-green, of indefinite length, with or without leaves

Morphology Leaves

Leaves remote, linear to oblong-elliptical and broadly ovate, sessile or shortly petiolate, fleshy, often coriaceous, usually becoming smaller towards apex of stem, the uppermost leaves bract-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences racemose, occasionally branched, usually axillary, very occasionally terminal, sessile or pedunculate, few–many-flowered, often only 1 or 2 flowers fully open at one time

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers large, subtended by bracts of various sizes, often campanulate, ranging from purest white to deep dull green, often fleshy, fugacious

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Sepals and petals free; petals often keeled on dorsal surface

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip usually larger than tepals, adnate to the column for various distances to form a funnel; disc variously appendaged with lamellae, laciniae, hairs or raised keels

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column elongate, curved, auriculate; anther attached to margin of clinandrium, incumbent, subglobose, operculate; stigma transverse, often bifid at apex, situated under rostellum; rostellum broad, membranous, articulated at base, usually deflexed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsules linear, often very long, unilocular, dehiscent; seeds relatively large, black, shining.