Resources
Plant Database
We aim to capture the Maya plants’ unique properties in our database recording over 400 plants from our in-field studies.
Dominant Plants Shaping the Forest
After millennia of Maya occupying the Maya forest, there are 20 trees that economic botanists recognize as dominating the well-drained uplands. These plants often cover more than three-quarters of the area! These dominant plants occurred where the ancient Maya lived and are all useful because the Maya selected plants they needed while creating the Maya forest garden.
Since these trees, palms, and shrubs greatly differ in appearances, we included the flower portion along with their Maya and English Names for easy comparison.
Illustrations by Julia Beery
Jabin
Wormwood
Pollinated by Bees
Used for Fish Poison
Jobo
Hogplum
Pollinated by Insects
Used for Food
Ya
Sapodilla
Pollination by Bats
Used for Food
Wayum
Kinep
Pollination by Bees
Used for Food
Kibche
Milady
Pollinated by Insects
Used for Construction
Ts’om
Wild Mamey
Pollinated by Moths
Used for Food
Chaca
Tourist Tree
Pollinated by Bees
Used for Medicine
Box Ya
Black Zapote
Pollinated by Insects
Used for Latex
Glossary
El Pilar
An ancient Maya city center and archeological site on the present-day border of Cayo District, Belize and Peten, Guatemala
Outside Resources
Explore our recommended list of credible resources in a variety of forms that suit your learning style.