XVI International Botanical Congess

Presented here are the vascular cryptogams and the flowering and non-flowering seed plants growing out-of-doors in Belize. Taxa known only from cultivation are included, but are counted and listed separately. The spontaneous flora is comprised of 3,406 species (plus 35 infra-specific taxa) in 1,218 genera and 209 families. Twelve families and 162 species are known only from cultivation. One monotypic genus, Schippia, and forty species are endemic (1.2% of the flora). 1,371 taxa (38% of the total flora) are reported to have at least one use. Approximately 17,000 specimens from the country were examined and are cited. Specimens from the literature or personal communications are cited where necessary. 557 types from the country are listed. A brief history of plant collecting in Belize is presented.