Botanical Treasures Sought in Belieze Sinkhole

Didn’t the movie “Arachnophobia” start like this? Just kidding–best of luck to Selby Gardens for their Belize expedition!

SARASOTA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An historic expedition of a 425’ sinkhole located in the Chiquibul National Park of Belize may prove to reveal rare and possibly never-before-seen plants from the heart of the ancient Mayan civilization. The area’s scientific, historic, and cultural significance makes it a likely candidate for a UNESCO World Heritage site designation.

“We hope to return at other times during the year to continue exploration of this vast area and document plants flowering in other seasons.”

Selby Gardens’ Director of Botany Bruce Holst joined an international team for the first of several planned descents into the Nohoch Ch’en Sinkhole, one of the most biologically diverse and difficult to access natural environments in Belize. The 10-day expedition marked the first step in a year-long process to gather and document botanical and ecological specimens.

Full press release is available here.