The short, oblong, dark green leaves of Vanilla are thick and leathery, even fleshy in some species.

But there are also a significant number of species that have their leaves reduced to scales or have become nearly or totally leafless and appear to use their green climbing stems for photosynthesis.

The racemose inflorescence's short-lived flowers arise successively on short peduncles from the leaf axils or scales.

In the Neotropics, the flowers were historically presumed to be pollinated by stingless bees (e.g. Melipona) or hummingbirds, but this was never confirmed; the only actual documented pollination (i.e., producing seed set) is recorded for an orchid bee, Eulaema meriana, visiting Vanilla grandiflora in Peru,[6] and pollinia of Vanilla species have been observed attached to other species of Eulaema in Panama,[7] and pollinia of Vanilla pompona are carried by males of Eulaema cingulata in Peru.

It ripens gradually for 8 to 9 months after flowering, eventually turning black in color and giving off a strong aroma.

Off-season or when abandoned, they may serve as habitat for animals of open forest, e.g. on the Comoros for Robert Mertens's day gecko (Phelsuma robertmertensi).

[10] This is a partial list of species or synonyms: Regarded as the world's most popular aroma and flavor,[12] vanilla contains the phenolic aldehyde, vanillin, as well as anisaldehyde, together accounting for its predominant sensory characteristics.