Friday, December 21, 2012

"Strangler Vine"

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Interesting Belize Rainforest Plants
Karen Travers

The ‘Strangler Fig (or Vine)’ starts out as an epiphyte seed that germinates in a tree. It is actually a “Ficus”, the same family of tress as the ‘Weeping Fig’.

Rather than growing its own huge trunk, it “cheats” by growing from the top down, slithering its roots from high in the tree down to the ground.

As the vine grows it gently encircles the tree with green growth. Once rooted in the ground, the vine expands its web. It thickens and flattens against the tree trunk.

Eventually the roots completely encircle the trunk and begin to fuse; above in the canopy the fig is shading out the host tree's leaves.  The host tree sickens and dies, and eventually decomposes.  This leaves the strangler fig standing tall, its fused roots forming a hollow trunk as tall as the original tree. While merely a shell, it is strong enough to stand. The whole process takes a long time – maybe a century and a half.

 
Once the tree decomposes, the remaining structure is an intricate network filled with cavities. This is the Strangler Vine ‘stand’ we just obtained, with an antique Mahogany bowl that just fits on the top. These shallow scooped bowls were used for kneading bread.

                       

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Morning Dew in Belize
Taking photos of the huge variety of gorgeous flowers on our property is so delightful! 











Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Barefoot Bar

One of the many places we love to eat on the Placencia Peninsula is the Barefoot Bar. We usually go at lunch, but they have a great dinner menu as well. Very extensive menu and reasonable prices. Great drinks!

Wonderful and colorful signs and tables...

Karen (R) and my sister from San Diego

Barefoot is right on the Placencia main road and has fantastic decor!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Kokomouse!

Introducing the new Mascot of Kokomo and The Maine Stay... it's Kokomouse!
Karen found this photo surfing... I'm working on a Kokomouse road crossing sign. 
Can't be one-upped in that department!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Orchids...

Orchid at Maya Beach Hotel

Just the other day I noticed this gorgeous orchid at the Maya Beach Hotel. I have heard for many years that Belize has more varieties of orchids than any other country. Not sure of the accuracy of that claim, but there is no doubt that the abundance and variety is very great. 

Those of you wanting to explore Belize and see these, might find this book valuable.


Author: Brendan Sayers and Brett Adams

Paperback - 152 pages
1st Edition - June 2009
ISBN: 978-976-816-132-1
This definitive illustrated guide to the orchids of Belize was published by Cubola for the Belize Botanic Gardens. The garden was established in 1997 and its mission is “to protect the floral biodiversity of Belize and to serve as an information resource for the local and international community, government, industry and the scientific community.”