Questions about Plants

Are there a lot of trees in Belize? —a 5th grade student from North Carolina (2004)

There are many, many trees in Belize. Not only does the country have large numbers of trees, they also have many more types of trees than we do in North Carolina — more than 700 species! There are different types of trees in different geographic areas. For example, Coconut Palms, Sea Grapes, and three different types of mangroves are found along the coast, while Cecropia trees and Cohune Palms are commonly seen in the central area. Forests in the western part of the country vary from pine to "rain forest," depending upon the soil and the amount of rainfall in the region. The team is likely to see examples of Give-and-Take Palm, Ironwood, Chicle, and Caribbean Pine during their visit to the Mountain Pine Ridge on Tuesday, July 20, 2004.

What are Heliconias? (2005)

Heliconia is a beautiful flowering plant. Its flowers are often a reddish color. It grows in clumps and is often seen along the roadside. It has large leaves and grows 5 to 8 feet tall.

How does the vegetation native to the area affect the wildlife that lives and thrives in Belize? —Ryan, an 8th grade student from Mecklenburg County, NC (2006)

The tropical climate and varied terrain of Belize allows for an incredible diversity of plant and animal communities.  Also over 75% of Belize is still dominated by natural communities. In our short stay we experienced: Submontane Broadleaf Forest, Lowland Broadleaf Forest, Submontane Pine Woodland, Mangrove Forest, Sea Grass Beds and Coral Reefs.  Each community has unique plants and animals, although some animals can survive in several types of communities.

Q & A Home