Status:
valid
Authors:
Hayata
Source:
wcs
Year:
1916
Citation Micro:
Icon. Pl. Formosan. 6: 88 (1916)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000331564
Common Names
- Vanilla somai
- Somai Vanilla
- Somai Orchid
Synonyms
- Vanilla griffithii formosana T.Itô [unknown]
- Vanilla griffithii ronoensis (Hayata) S.S.Ying [unknown]
- Vanilla ronoensis Hayata [unknown]
- Vanilla shenzhenica Z.J.Liu & S.C.Chen [unknown]
- Miguelia somai (Hayata) Aver. [unknown]
Description
Vanilla somai (also called Somai's vanilla, among many other common names) is a species of orchid native to Southeast Asia. It is a climbing vine with long, thin stems and small, glossy leaves. The flowers are small and white, and the fruit is a fleshy capsule. It grows in tropical and subtropical forests, often in the understory of taller trees.
Uses & Benefits
Vanilla somai is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and as a flavoring agent in food and beverages. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as fever, headache, and stomachache.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Vanilla somai has white, star-shaped flowers, with a yellow lip and a long, thin seedpod. The seeds are small, black and round, and the seedlings have thin, wiry stems.
Cultivation and Propagation
Vanilla somai can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings. The seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil mix and kept moist. Stem cuttings should be taken from healthy plants and rooted in a moist soil mix. Both methods should be done in a warm, humid environment.
Where to Find Vanilla somai
Vanilla somai is native to tropical regions of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Vanilla somai FAQ
What is the scientific name of Vanilla somai?
Vanilla somai
What is the common name of Vanilla somai?
Vanilla somai
What is the family of Vanilla somai?
Orchidaceae
Species in the Vanilla genus
Vanilla abundiflora,
Vanilla acuminata,
Vanilla acuta,
Vanilla africana,
Vanilla albida,
Vanilla andamanica,
Vanilla angustipetala,
Vanilla annamica,
Vanilla aphylla,
Vanilla appendiculata,
Vanilla bahiana,
Vanilla barbellata,
Vanilla barrereana,
Vanilla bertoniensis,
Vanilla bicolor,
Vanilla borneensis,
Vanilla bradei,
Vanilla calyculata,
Vanilla chalotii,
Vanilla chamissonis,
Vanilla claviculata,
Vanilla columbiana,
Vanilla coursii,
Vanilla crenulata,
Vanilla cristagalli,
Vanilla cucullata,
Vanilla decaryana,
Vanilla diabolica,
Vanilla dietschiana,
Vanilla dilloniana,
Vanilla dubia,
Vanilla dungsii,
Vanilla edwallii,
Vanilla fimbriata,
Vanilla francoisii,
Vanilla gardneri,
Vanilla giulianettii,
Vanilla grandifolia,
Vanilla griffithii,
Vanilla guianensis,
Vanilla hallei,
Vanilla hamata,
Vanilla hartii,
Vanilla havilandii,
Vanilla helleri,
Vanilla heterolopha,
Vanilla hostmannii,
Vanilla humblotii,
Vanilla imperialis,
Vanilla inodora,
Species in the Orchidaceae family
Aa fiebrigii,
Aa hartwegii,
Aa hieronymi,
Aa leucantha,
Aa lorentzii,
Aa macra,
Aa achalensis,
Aa maderoi,
Aa mandonii,
Aa matthewsii,
Aa microtidis,
Aa paleacea,
Aa argyrolepis,
Aa riobambae,
Aa rosei,
Aa schickendanzii,
Aa sphaeroglossa,
Aa trilobulata,
Aa weddelliana,
Aa aurantiaca,
Aa calceata,
Aa colombiana,
Aa denticulata,
Aa erosa,
Aa figueroi,
Aa lozanoi,
Aa lehmannii,
Acampe carinata,
Acampe cephalotes,
Acampe ochracea,
Acampe pachyglossa,
Acampe praemorsa,
Acampe joiceyana,
Acampe hulae,
Acanthophippium bicolor,
Acanthophippium chrysoglossum,
Acanthophippium curtisii,
Acanthophippium eburneum,
Acanthophippium gougahense,
Acanthophippium javanicum,
Acanthophippium lilacinum,
Acanthophippium mantinianum,
Acanthophippium parviflorum,
Acanthophippium pictum,
Acanthophippium splendidum,
Acanthophippium striatum,
Acanthophippium sylhetense,
Acanthophippium curtisii,
Achlydosa glandulosa,
Acianthera aculeata,