ORCHIDACE^. 



259 



terrestrial or epiphytic. Stem oi- scape usually simple, cyliiidric or 

 angular. Leaves mostly radical, those on the stems close together and 

 equitant, alternate or opposite sheathing, and glabrous, cylindrical 

 or linear-lanceolate, entire or eniarginate, sometimes cordate; veins 

 usually parallel. 



Xo. of genera, 384 ; species 5,000 ; in warm and temperate regions. 



VANILLA, Swz. (Vanilla.) Calyx composed of 3 sepals, outer side 

 greenish and petaloid. Petals of the same size and similar to the 

 sepals ; lip entire, its claw adnate to the gynandrous column, its limb 

 broad and concave around the column. 

 Anthers terminal, forming a sort of 

 lid ; pollen granular. Fruit a pod, 

 cylindrical, 6 to 10 inches long, and 

 half an inch in diameter, fleshy ; seeds 

 numerous, imbedded in a soft black 

 pulp. Natives of the tropical coun- 

 tries of both hemispheres. They are 

 lianes, climbing over lofty trees. K^ 



1. V. aromatica, Swz. (Spicy Vanilla.) 

 Stem 4-side(l climbing, 15 to 30 feet long, 

 epiphytic, but not parasitic, fastening itself 

 to the bark by rootlets given off at every 

 node. Leaves from 10 to 15 inches Ion jr. 

 narrow and fleshy. Flowers greenish. 



2. V; planifolia, Andrews. (Flat-leaved 

 Vanilla.) Stem cylindrical and slender, 

 very long. Leaves alternate, sessile, 4 to 

 6 inches long, oval and pointed, sheathing 

 at the base, persistent, dark-green above, 

 paler underneatli. Flowers 2 inches in 

 diameter, pale yellowish-green, sessile, in 

 loose axillai-v s])ikes, witli 8 to 10 siiort, 

 triangular, green bracts. Perianth made up of 6 fleshy deciduun.s leaves, in 

 two rows. Ovary inferior, 2 inches long, cylindrical and stalk-like, fleshy and 

 1 -celled. Fruit a Heshy pod, 5 to 9 indies long slender, filled witli small 

 black lens-like seeds. 



These two species produce the vanilla of commerce. It is propagated by 

 cuttings; hence there is little opportunity for sporting, and the number of 

 varieties is accordingly limited ; there are a few varieties however. 



The cuttings are fastened to trees upon wliich they are to grow, and the 

 fertilization is artificial, by placing the i)ollen ui)on the stigma with a splinter 

 of bamboo, or some other delicate instrument. 



Geographji. — Vanilla is a tropical and subtropical ])lant, found native in 

 the damp, wooded districts of southern Mexico, and in the coast regions of 

 Vera Cruz and adja<ent provinces. It is also cultivated in Guatemala. 

 Guadaloupe, Brazil, .Mauritius, Bourbon, Madagascar, and Java. 



EtijDioloyi/. — Vanilln is tiie diminutive of the Spanish word vaina, sheath, 



Vanilla planifolia (Vauilla). 



