'Vanilla planifolia' definitions:
Definition of 'Vanilla planifolia'
From: WordNet
noun
A climbing orchid bearing a podlike fruit yielding vanilla beans; widely cultivated from Florida southward throughout tropical America [syn: vanilla orchid, Vanilla planifolia]
Definition of 'Vanilla planifolia'
From: GCIDE
- Vanilla \Va*nil"la\, n. [NL., fr. Sp. vainilla, dim. of Sp. vaina a sheath, a pod, L. vagina; because its grains, or seeds, are contained in little pods.] [1913 Webster]
- 1. (Bot.) A genus of climbing orchidaceous plants, natives of tropical America. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The long podlike capsules of Vanilla planifolia, and Vanilla claviculata, remarkable for their delicate and agreeable odor, for the volatile, odoriferous oil extracted from them; also, the flavoring extract made from the capsules, extensively used in confectionery, perfumery, etc. [1913 Webster]
- Note: As a medicine, vanilla is supposed to possess powers analogous to valerian, while, at the same time, it is far more grateful. [1913 Webster]
- Cuban vanilla, a sweet-scented West Indian composite shrub (Eupatorium Dalea).
- Vanilla bean, the long capsule of the vanilla plant.
- Vanilla grass. Same as Holy grass, under Holy. [1913 Webster]