Top 20 Most Common Weeds in Belize

Belize, with its humid tropical climate and rich biodiversity, provides fertile ground for a variety of garden weeds. These include invasive species like Artillery plant, hardy vines such as Devil's trumpet, and pervasive herbs like Common purslane. Gardeners in Belize often face difficulties curtailing their growth due to the ample rainfall and warm temperatures that favor these weeds' proliferation, posing constant challenges to maintain cultivated landscapes.

Most Common Weeds

1. Artillery plant

The artillery plant is often utilized as a groundcover or an ornamental in many landscapes. It's commonly named the "artillery plant" because the males generally produce pollen in an explosive way. It grows best in a humid environment in partial shade or indirect sunlight. It's a particularly popular plant in indoor rock gardens.

2. Devil's trumpet

Devil's trumpet (Datura metel) is a highly toxic annual species. Devil's trumpet ingestion can cause headaches, hallucinations, coma, and death. In spite of its toxicity, it is sometimes grown as an ornamental flower.

Growth Rate:

Slow

3. Water hyacinth

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fast-growing flowering plant species with ovular, waxy leaves. Water hyacinth is listed as a federal noxious weed in the United States. This species is invasive to ponds, lakes, rivers and other wetland habitats. It forms dense, floating mats of vegetation that restricts light to underwater environments.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

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4. Common purslane

Portulaca oleracea, colloquially known as common purslane, is an annual succulent species with reddish stems and tiny yellow, five-petal flowers. It is used for culinary purposes in various parts of the world, most often raw, in salads. Common purslane is also a good companion plant for crops that thrive in moist soils.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

5. Culantro

Culantro, not to be confused with cilantro or coriander, is a culinary herb with a strong flavor used in dishes across East Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Cultivation is increasing as demand for this herb grows in economies around the world. In tropical areas, this herb can be grown as a perennial, but it will likely only grow as an annual in colder areas.

6. Santa Maria feverfew

Parthenium hysterophorus or santa Maria feverfew is also called famine weed. It is an invasive weed that can disrupt the health of crops, pasture, livestock, and humans. A substance in the plant, called parthenin, is highly toxic and can cause dermatitis and breathing difficulties in humans and animals.

7. Pigeonberry

The pigeonberry is a vine-like herb that can reach heights of 40 to 200 cm. It produces a bright red berry as a fruit that is tested to be safe to consume. The juice made from these berries was once used as a dye and ink.

8. Three-lobed false mallow

Three-lobed false mallow (Malvastrum coromandelianum) is an annual and perennial herbaceous shrub native to North America and South America. This plant has been introduced to other areas of the world and is commonly found in Australia, Asia, and Africa.

9. American black nightshade

American black nightshade (*Solanum americanum*) is a flowering herb with unknown native origins, and it is poisonous. Its berries should not be consumed, as berry consumption has resulted in death in children.

10. White mouth dayflower

White mouth dayflower (Commelina erecta) is a perennial wildflower found in coastal uplands, scrub habitats, and pinelands. The flower consists of two large petals situated right at the top of the stem. These blooms are purplish-blue, and there's a much smaller white petal below these two. This is why the flower has "White Mouth" in its name.

11. Asthma-plant

Asthma-plant (Euphorbia hirta) is a ground-hugging spurge weed whose branches can grow to 61 cm long. It blooms from summer through early fall, dying off after the first frost. A milky sap will seep from broken stems or leaves. It can be a nuisance weed that reproduces rapidly.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

12. Hyssop-leaf sandmat

Hyssop-leaf sandmat (Euphorbia hyssopifolia) is a sandmat that’s indigenous to the southwestern part of the United States. A sandmat is a plant in the genus of Euphorbia that thrives best in deserts. Hyssop-leaf sandmat has a milk-white sap in its stem—just like the milkweed. It’s also known as hyssop spurge, eyebane, wart weed, and chicken weed.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

13. Mexican fireplant

Mexican fireplant is native to tropical America, but it has been naturalized in other tropical and subtropical regions in the world. *Euphorbia heterophylla* is a poisonous plant to humans and livestock. It contains a toxic milky sap which can cause strong skin irritation.

14. Goosegrass

When there is a famine or a lack of food, the seeds of goosegrass are eaten. This agricultural weed is utilized for cultivated crops, animal feed, and golf courses. It is classified as an environmental weed in various nations. Some Asian countries employ parts of this plant as herbal medicine.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

15. Climbing dayflower

The climbing dayflower can be used as a sprawling groundcover with light blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies. However, it spreads easily when nodes on its small branches touch the soil and begin to root. Since it can spread aggressively, it is sometimes seen as an invasive weed that is treated with herbicide.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

16. Matted Sandmat

Matted Sandmat is an annual weed that grows flat along the ground into a matted form. It has a long tap root and hardy seeds, which make it difficult to eradicate. This plant’s sap can irritate the skin and is toxic.

17. Common Duckweed

Common Duckweed (Lemna minor) are the smallest flowering plants on the planet. The plant is an important food source for both fish and waterfowl. Common Duckweed is used to counteract the effects of agricultural runoff because it removes excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from waterways.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

18. Straggler daisy

The straggler daisy is a low-growing ground cover plant that tolerates shade and can withstand moderate foot traffic. The straggler daisy blooms for the entire spring, summer, and well into fall. In frost-free areas, year-round blooming is possible and the flowers of this plant are a sunny yellow color.

19. Lilac Tasselflower

Lilac Tasselflower (Emilia sonchifolia) is an annual herb that will grow to 61 cm tall. Native to China and the western Pacific, it is considered a weed in most regions of the United States. It grows in full sun in open areas and features edible leaves and lavender pink flowers. Flowers are followed by seed heads with white, fluffy seeds that are easily dispersed by the wind.

20. Creeping woodsorrel

Creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is a flowering herb which grows aggressively. The leaves have a lemony flavor and are often made into tea that's rich in vitamin C. However, if ingested in large amounts the oxalic acid for which the genus is named can begin to block the body's calcium absorption.

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Belize's tropical climate with its warm temperatures, abundant rainfall, and high humidity provides an ideal environment for a diverse flora, including toxic plants. Issues related to the proliferation of these dangerous species are pertinent. Notable among the local vegetation are , , and , which pose risks to human and animal health. These plants showcase the need for awareness and caution in areas where they are prevalent.

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Most Common Fruits

Belize boasts a tropical climate with abundant rainfall and fertile soils, ideal for a rich variety of local fruit cultivation. The significant local fruits like , , and , thrive here, integral both to the diet and cultural practices of Belizeans. These fruit plants, grown in the lush ecosystems ranging from coastal plains to hillier terrains, do not just contribute to biodiversity but also underpin the agricultural economy.

Most Common Trees

The diverse climatic and soil conditions of Belize provide a favorable environment for the growth of various native trees. Among them, three emblematic species are , , and . These trees hold great significance in the region, either due to their cultural importance or ecological value. They contribute to the country's rich biodiversity and play a critical role in maintaining the health and balance of Belize's natural ecosystems.

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Most Common Plants

In Belize, you can find Flame of the woods, Pepper, Ti plant, Chinese hibiscus, Garden croton, and more! There are 50 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.