ラン科バニラ属の常緑多年草で、学名は Vanilla fragrans (syn. Vanilla planifolia)。英名は Common vanilla。
The Common vanilla (Vanilla fragrans) belongs to Orchidaceae (the Orchid family). It is an evergreen perennial herb that is native to south Mexico and the West Indies. This herb is a vine, grows in rainforests and grows by climbing over tall tree up to 10 m long. The leaves are elliptic and thick. The flower is pale yellow, trumpet-shaped and lasts about one day. The fruit is a long seed pod and used for aroma. The vanilla beans are made by fermentation after boiling.