Vanilla siamensis (Thai Vanilla)
Botanical Information
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Genus | Vanilla |
| Species | siamensis |
| Synonyms | Vanilla pierrei |
| Category | Perennials, Tropicals |
| Type | Vine |
| Origin | Thailand and southern Yunnan, China. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Seed pods are used as a flavouring in foods. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | Above 4.5 |
| Temperature (°F) | above 40 |
| Height | 4.5 - 6 m |
| Flowering Period | August |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Climbing up trees to a height of 4.5 - 6 m and then drooping down again. |
| Notable Specimens | Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. |
| Habitat | Found in Thailand and southern Yunnan, China in hill evergreen and tropical evergreen forests at elevations around 200 to 1400 meters |
| Bark/Stem Description | A climbing stem carrying a root and a leaf at each node, nearly 2 cm in diameter, dark green, internodes about 15 cm long. |
| Leaf Description | Thick and leathery, twisted at intersection to stem, about 25 cm long, by 10 cm broad. |
| Flower Description | In short racemes, opening successively, slightly scented about 5 cm in diameter. |
Photographs
Vanilla siamensis, form, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
Vanilla siamensis, fruit, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.