Vanilla mexicana Mill.

• Authority

  Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.

• Family

  Orchidaceae

• Scientific Name

  Vanilla mexicana Mill.

• Description

  Species Description - Climbing succulent lianas with terete stems rooting at nodes. Leaves numerous, ovate, acute-acuminate, fleshy, 10- 30 X 3.5-15 cm. Inflorescences erect, axillary racemes with prominent fleshy bracts. Flowers with yellow-green sepals and petals with white lip; sepals lanceolate, obtuse, apically reflexed, recurved at margin, 4.5-6 X 1-1.8 cm; petals lanceolate, acute, apically reflexed, undulate at margin, 4.5-5.8 X 1-1.4 cm; lip 3-lobed, adnate to base of column, tubular only at base, 4.6 x 3.6 cm, the lateral lobes enclosing column, the midlobe elliptic, obtuse, with paired protuberances at base and fleshy linear callus along length; column long, terete, bent downwards at middle.