Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Vanilla planifolia

Vanilla planifolia

7.9
A climbing plant grown for the pods that become vanilla beans
  • noun
  • /vəˈnɪlə plæˈnɪfoʊliə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Vanilla planifolia
  • Vanilla planifolia is the primary source of natural vanilla flavor used in desserts and perfumes.

Examples

  • The cultivation of Vanilla planifolia requires careful hand-pollination to produce beans.

  • Farmers in Madagascar grow large plantations of Vanilla planifolia for export.

  • The Vanilla planifolia plant thrives in warm climates.

  • Many chefs prefer using Vanilla planifolia beans for their desserts.

  • Vanilla planifolia is the main plant used to create the rich flavor found in many ice creams and cakes.

  • Many bakers choose Vanilla planifolia for its aromatic beans that enhance their recipes.

  • Vanilla planifolia grows well in tropical regions, where it can flourish in the sunlight.

Synonyms

vanilla
vsVanilla planifolia
8 3.4

A tropical climbing plant that produces long pods for flavoring

is one specific species rather than the whole plant genus
vanilla orchid
vsVanilla planifolia
1 5.3

A climbing tropical plant that produces pods called vanilla beans

is a single species native to Mexico and Central America

Surface Forms

Vanilla planifolia singular
Vanilla planifolias plural

Morphology

vanilla + planifolia

The first element 'vanilla' makes it clear the expression refers to the vanilla plant, so a learner can infer it denotes a kind or species of vanilla. However 'planifolia' is a Latin species epithet (not a common English word) and its specific sense ('flat‑leaved') is not predictable for a B1 learner, so the exact meaning is not fully derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Vanilla planifolia is the plant name for the climbing orchid that gives us real vanilla. The second part planifolia comes from Latin for 'flat leaves', so the name points to its flat leaf shape and helps you remember it produces 'vanilla beans'.