Vanilla imperialis is an orchid (family Orchidaceae) found from Sierra Leone eastward to Ethiopia and southward to Tanzania and Angola.

It is a root-climbing vine to about 65 feet (twenty meters) in height, with a root emerging just above each leaf.

Although not as tall as the common vanilla (V. planifolia), it is up to a full inch (2.54 centimeters) in thickness; the most massive Vanilla species, and the largest of all African orchids.

[1] The inflorescence is an unbranched raceme up to six inches (15 centimeters) long.

The labellum is 2.5 inches (six cm) in length with the far end flared and pink or purple.