Vanilla is a orchid genus native to Central and South America grew. The Aztecs used the plant to flavor cocoa. Vanilla is made by drying and pickling the fruits (pods) of the Vanilla planifolia orchid. Due to forest clearing and habitat disappearance, the Vanilla orchid is scarce in Central and South America and rare become rare in the wild. Today, vanilla is grown particularly in Madagascar grown because demand for vanilla exceeds supply.
Characteristics
The flavor molecule in vanilla, vanillin, has antibacterial properties and is used in medicines to relieve fever and aid digestion, among other things. However, more research is needed to confirm its medicinal properties. During the bloom of the Vanilla planifolia, the orchid also spreads the distinctive vanilla fragrance. So decoratively it is also a very nice plant to have in your home.
Care
They like to stand in a lot of indirect sunlight on the east or west and a high humidity. They also like an even higher temperature of at least 20 degrees Celcius. Below 15 degrees Celsius can damage the orchid.
