This tropical American orchid is a robust vine with large, unattractive, yellow-green flowers. The vanilla orchid is grown commercially in many tropical areas, principally in Madagascar and Mexico, where abiotic factors are optimal for the Vanilla orchid to grow. It takes 8 to 9 months for the seed pods to mature. The pod is the chief source of natural vanilla flavoring, Vanillin (most of which is now produced artificially by an extensive process of heating and drying the pods after harvest). Vanillin is used widely in perfumes and confectionery as well as toothpaste. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world (after Saffron).