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, and pollinia of Vanilla species have been observed attached to other species of Eulaema in Panama. Hand pollination is the most reliable method in commercially grown vanilla. Vanilla plantations require trees for the orchids to climb and anchor by its roots. The fruit is termed "vanilla bean", though true beans are fabaceous eudicots not at all closely related to orchids. Rather, the vanilla fruit is technically an elongate, fleshy and later dehiscent capsule 10–20 cm long. It ripens gradually for 8 to 9 months after flowering, eventually turning black in color and giving off a strong aroma. Each pod contains thousands of minute seeds, and both the pods and seeds within are used to create vanilla flavoring. Vanilla beans are harvested by hand from commercial orchards. Vanilla species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, such as the woolly bear moths Hypercompe eridanus and H. icasia. 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). Selected species See List of Vanilla species The taxonomy of the genus Vanilla is complex. This is a partial list of species or synonyms: Vanilla albida Vanilla andamanica Vanilla andina Vanilla aphylla Blume – Leafless vanilla Vanilla atropogon Vanilla bahiana Vanilla barbellata – Small bearded vanilla, wormvine orchid, "leafless vanilla" Vanilla chamissonis Klotzsch – Chamisso's vanilla Vanilla claviculata – Green withe Vanilla dilloniana – Dillon's vanilla, "leafless vanilla" Vanilla edwallii – Edwall's vanilla Vanilla humblotii Vanilla mexicana Mill. – Mexican vanilla Vanilla moonii Vanilla odorata C.Presl Vanilla phaeantha – Leafy vanilla Vanilla pilifera Holttum Vanilla planifolia Andrews – Flat-leaved vanilla, Tahitian vanilla, "West Indian vanilla" Vanilla poitaei – Poiteau's vanilla Vanilla polylepis Vanilla pompona Schiede – Pompona vanilla, Guadeloupe vanilla, "West Indian vanilla" Vanilla raabii Vanilla roscheri Vanilla shenzhenica Vanilla siamensis – Thai vanilla Vanilla somae Vanilla tahitensis Vanilla walkeriae Aroma and flavor Regarded as the world's most popular aroma and flavor, vanilla contains the phenolic aldehyde, vanillin, as well as anisaldehyde, together accounting for its predominant sensory characteristics. Vanilla is a widely used aroma and flavor compound for foods, beverages and cosmetics, as indicated by