Vanilla andamanica
| Vanilla andamanica | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Vanilloideae |
| Genus: | Vanilla |
| Species: | V. andamanica |
| Binomial name | |
| Vanilla andamanica Rolfe |
|
Vanilla andamanica Rolfe is an endangered wild relative of commercial vanilla, Vanilla planifolia, the source of Vanilla essence. It grows in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India in the Bay of Bengal. [1], and classified as a Vulnerable species (VU) by the IUCN Red List [2].
It has creamy white fragrant flowers, and was first identified by botanist, Robert Allen Rolfe in 1918. Today, it is part of Floriculture emphasis in the island state. [3], also conserved in the 'Dhanikhari Experimental Botanic Garden', Port Blair, by Botanical Survey of India [4]
This is a 'narrow endemic' rarely found in the interior evergreen forests of this archipelago.The flowers are typical creamy yellowish with purple coloured interior. There are difference in opinion among taxonomists about the specific status of the Andaman taxon. According to late Seidenfaden Vanilla andamanica Rolfe is very similar to the Thailand species Vanilla albida Blume. (Mathew, S. P., A. Mohandas & G. M. Nair 2005: Vanilla andamanica, Orchid Review 113:152-153.)
[edit] References
- ^ Geoinformatics for tropical ecosystems, by P. S. Roy, Asian Association of Remote Sensing. Publisher:Working Group on Tropical Ecosystem Management, Asian Association of Remote Sensing, 2003. ISBN 8121103703. Page 569.
- ^ Vanilla andamanica Orchids: status survey and conservation action plan, by Eric Hágsater, Vinciane Dumont, Alec M. Pridgeon, IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group. Publisher IUCN, 1996. ISBN 2831703255. Page 92.
- ^ Floral Wealth of Andaman & Nicobar Islands:Vanilla andamanica Rolfe (Orchid) Andaman & Nicobar Islands website.
- ^ The list of Species Conserved in Botanical Gardens of Botanical Survey of India Ministry of Environment and Forests
[edit] External links
- Floriculture in Andaman and Nicobar: Vanilla andamanica (endangered sp.) Department of Agriculture, Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
- Image of Vanilla andamanica
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