The Lush Landscape Of Belize: Nature's Bounty Unveiled

Belize is home to a wide variety of flora, with over 4,000 species of flowering plants, 250 species of orchid, and 700 species of tree. The country's vegetation is highly diverse, with everything from lowland broad-leaved forests to lowland pine forests and mangrove forests.

Belize's national flower is the black orchid, and the country is also known for its production of fruits such as custard apples, starfruit, dragon fruit, and sapodilla.

Tropical fruits

Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

Also known as Pitaya, Dragon Fruit is one of the most exotic and nutritious fruits in Belize. It usually has red pulp and red vines, growing on a dragon fruit cactus. Its taste has been compared to a white kiwi, and it is often described as juicy and sweet. Dragon Fruit is commonly found at most fruit stalls in Belize and is used in cocktails such as Dragon Fruit Margaritas.

Soursop (Guanabana)

Soursop is a heart-shaped fruit with leathery and bitter skin, growing on an evergreen tree. It is commonly used in juices and ice cream, with a flavour that has been likened to strawberries and citrus. Soursop ice cream is a popular local delicacy, found on every ice cream menu in Belize.

Star Fruit (Five Fingers)

Star Fruit, or "Five Fingers", gets its name from the five-pointed star shape revealed when the fruit is cut across. It has a thin, glossy, yellow skin and a sweet taste. Star Fruit is versatile and can be used in salads, desserts, or as a garnish. It does not need to be peeled, making it convenient to eat whole.

Mamey

Mamey is a seasonal fruit with a salmony-red flesh and a custard-like flavour and texture. It is a common ingredient in fruit smoothies in Belize and is known for its distinct flavour.

Custard Apple (Cherimoya)

The Custard Apple has been described as tasting like dessert, with a pink centre and a creamy texture. Mark Twain famously called it "the most delicious fruit known to men".

Other Tropical Fruits

In addition to the fruits mentioned above, Belize is also home to a variety of other tropical fruits, including breadfruit, craboo, cacao, cashew, golden plum, kenep, mangosteen, noni, and many more. The country's produce is a highlight for many visitors, with an abundance of fresh and exotic fruits available year-round.

Orchids

Belize is home to a wide variety of orchids, with nearly 100 species found across the country. The most famous of these is the Black Orchid, or Encyclia Cochleatum, which is the national flower of Belize. This unique flower is native to Central and South America and is known for its distinctive shape and colour. While called a "black" orchid, the flower is actually a deep, dark maroon or purple with light yellow accents, and its petals form a shape reminiscent of an octopus or a clam shell.

The Black Orchid is an epiphytic orchid, which means it grows on another plant, usually a tree, and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and debris around it. It typically blooms between April and May, or July and September, and can reach up to one and a half feet in height. The flower is known for its resilience, blooming in adverse conditions, and can be found in the humid rainforests of Belize, where it contributes to the rich biodiversity of the ecosystem.

In addition to the Black Orchid, Belize is home to many other orchid species, including:

• Bletia purpurea—a terrestrial orchid common in savanna habitats and flowering irregularly throughout the year.
• Catasetum integerrimum—a very common epiphytic orchid often found in dead stumps, with male and female flowers that differ in appearance.
• Epidendrum ibaguense—a terrestrial orchid that is common in much of Central America but very rare in Belize, found in the Mountain Pine Ridge and Victoria Peak regions.
• Mormolyca ringens—an epiphytic orchid that forms large clumps and is commonly found in certain districts of Belize.
• Oncidium altissimum—an epiphytic orchid from humid forests, commonly found in several districts of Belize.
• Oncidium sphacelatum, or "Golden Shower"—a common epiphytic orchid that forms large clumps of golden yellow flowers in the dry season.

Palms

Another type of palm found in Belize is the cohune palm, which grows wild in the rainforest and can reach heights of 90 feet. The leaves are used for thatching houses, and the nuts are edible and can be used to produce oil. The heart of the palm is considered a delicacy.

The Bay Leaf Palm, scientifically known as Sabal mauritiiformis, is commonly used for thatching in Central and Latin America. It is native to Belize and requires little to no irrigation or pest control, making it an ideal sustainable agriculture crop.

Other types of palms found in Belize include the Christmas Palm, Manila Palm, Salt Water Palmetto, and the Royal Palm.

Mangrove and littoral forest

There are three species of mangrove found in Belize: red mangrove, black mangrove, and white mangrove. In addition, the buttonwood, though not a true mangrove, is often associated with mangroves in littoral forests. Mangrove forests are predominantly found in anoxic and saline substrates within low-lying intertidal areas of tropical and subtropical latitudes. They are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, vital for both terrestrial and marine species, and provide indispensable services such as habitat creation, shoreline protection, erosion prevention, and carbon sequestration. Belize's mangrove ecosystems contribute US $174–249 million per year to the national economy.

Littoral forests are one of the smallest area habitats in Belize, covering only 0.114% of its land surface. They are found in small pockets between Shipstern Lagoon and the Pott’s Creek, areas on the Placencia peninsula, near Monkey River, in patches near Port Honduras, south of the Moho River, and south of Barranco. The largest areas of littoral forest are found on the higher elevations of islands like Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. These forests protect the soil during overwash events, such as hurricane surges. The dense carpet of vegetation, accompanied by fringing mangroves, slows down the progress of water across islands.

Like mangroves, littoral forests support a variety of flora and fauna, including insects, lizards, frogs, and birds. The food chain is sustained by seagrapes, gumbo limbo, and some delicate shrubs, including seaside daisy, lavender, and bean.

Timber trees

Belize is home to a wide variety of timber trees, with over 700 different species. Here is a detailed overview of some of the notable timber trees found in the country:

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)

Mahogany is the national tree of Belize and is one of the most important timber species in the country. It typically grows in the canopy layer of tropical forests and requires strong light to grow. The tree blooms from May to June, attracting moths and small bees responsible for pollination. Mahogany wood is highly valued for its strength, durability, and resistance to rot and termites. It has been used in furniture making, boatbuilding, and railway cart construction.

Cedar (Cedrela orodata)

Cedar, also known as Spanish Cedar, is another prized timber tree in Belize. It is closely related to mahogany and is often found on calcareous soils. Cedar is identified by its strong garlic-like smell during its flowering season from March to May. The wood of cedar trees is similar to mahogany and is used as a substitute, particularly in the production of furniture and cigar boxes.

Santa Maria (Calophyllum brasiliense/antillanum)

Santa Maria is a hardwood tree found throughout Belize and other parts of Central and South America. It tolerates diverse soil types and is adapted to survive in seasonally inundated or flooded areas. The wood of Santa Maria is used for heavier construction purposes and furniture making, although it tends to split and warp if not properly dried.

Granadillo (Platymiscium yucatanum)

Granadillo is a brown hardwood tree found in the dry forests of northern Belize. It is related to rosewood and is valued for its fine-textured, colourful wood with distinct grains. Granadillo wood is used for furniture making and crafts such as turned bowls and small gifts.

Rosewood (Dalbergia stevensonii)

Rosewood is a legume tree native to the rainforests of southern Belize. It grows in low-lying areas and is integral to the health of the soil due to its nitrogen-fixing abilities. The wood is prized for its grains, hardness, colour, and musical qualities. It is traditionally used for manufacturing bars for marimbas but is now sought after for luxury furniture in Asia.

Redwood (Simira salvadorensis)

Redwood is a rare and beautiful timber tree found in Belize and other parts of Central America. The wood has a distinctive true red colour and is hard, heavy, strong, and easy to work with. It can be used for various purposes, including turnery, carvings, and furniture making.

Jobillo (Astronium graveolens)

Jobillo is an ornate timber tree more commonly found in the northern regions of Belize, preferring calcareous soils. The tree grows up to 110 feet and produces fruits that are an important part of the diet of canopy-dwelling parrots. The wood of Jobillo is highly valued for its variegated coloration, blending dark orange and black. It is used for fine furniture and handicrafts.

Nargusta (Terminalia amazonia)

Nargusta is a versatile species found throughout Belize, with a wide gene pool that makes it resistant to pests and diseases. The wood is traditionally used for heavy construction, such as house building and bridge construction. However, some companies in Belize also use it for furniture making.

These are just a few examples of the diverse range of timber trees found in Belize, each with its unique characteristics and uses. The country's rich flora and vegetation have played a significant role in its history and continue to be an important natural resource.

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