Vanilla phaeantha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vanilla phaeantha |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Vanilla
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| Species: |
phaeantha
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Vanilla phaeantha, also known as the leafy vanilla or oblong-leaved vanilla, is a special type of plant. It's a kind of orchid, which are famous for their beautiful and unique flowers. This plant is quite rare and grows only in a few specific places in the world.
Contents
Discovering Leafy Vanilla
Where Leafy Vanilla Lives
The leafy vanilla plant is found in the wild in only a few places. You can find it on the islands of Trinidad and Cuba. It also grows in Collier County, Florida, in the United States.
This plant likes to live in wet, swampy areas. It grows in places called cypress swamps and hammocks. These are low-lying areas that are often flooded or very damp. The plant usually grows at elevations less than 20 meters (about 67 feet) above sea level.
What Leafy Vanilla Looks Like
The Vanilla phaeantha has leaves that stay on the plant all the time. They are tough and feel a bit like leather. These leaves are flat and can grow up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long. This means they are about the same length as the stem sections between them.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of the leafy vanilla grow in groups called racemes. Each group usually has about 12 flowers. These flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem.
The outer parts of the flower, called sepals, and the inner parts, called petals, are green. They are also tough and stiff, just like the leaves. However, the "lip" of the flower, which is a special petal, is a pretty yellow or cream color.
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are shaped like cylinders. They can grow up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long and 1 centimeter (about 0.4 inches) wide.
