PlantFiles: Leafy Vanilla, Oblong-leaved Vanilla
Vanilla phaeantha

This native orchid is one of the most common spp. of Vanillas in Florida, although it is restricted to Collier County in southwest Florida, around zones 10a or 10b. It is a vining spp. often seen growing up the side trunks of trees such as bald cypress, buttonwood, live oak, pond apple and many other varieties of native trees in the swamps, sloughs and hammocks and cypress swamps and swamps it is found in and has a distinctive zigzag growth habitat as it vines up the sides of trees and tree trunks. The tubular flowers, which are white with an attractive yellow opening on the bottom lobe, often open early in the morning and sometimes close as early as 9 or 10 AM. This species is sadly listed as endangered by the state of Florida. It is also found in the West Indies.