Vanilla planifolia Vanilla planifolia Vanilla planifolia is a species of vanilla orchid. It is native to Mexico and Central America, and is one of the primary sources for vanilla flavouring, due to its high vanillin content. Common names are flat-leaved vanilla, Tahitian vanilla, and West Indian vanilla (also used for the Pompona vanilla, "V. pompona"). Often, it is simply referred to as "the vanilla". It was first scientifically named in 1808. "Vanilla planifolia" is found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northeastern South America. It prefers hot, wet, tropical climates. It is cultivated and harvested primarily in Veracruz, Mexico and in
Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited is an Indian pharmaceutical company based in Chennai, founded on 1 July 1992, by Kailasam Raghavendra Rao, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad (PGP '79) . As of 2007, it was among the top fortune 500 Indian companies by market capitalization. In 1992, Orchid obtained a certificate for commencement of business and became a public company the following year. It began producing commercially in 1995 and received the Good manufacturing practice certification. In 1999, it became the largest producer of oral and sterile cephalosporin and was ranked among the top five producers