It is easy to see why this fantastic shrub is the preferred hedge shrub by seasoned gardeners and landscapers as the bright colors contrast wonderfully with the surrounding green vegetation. The a myriad of colors (shades of pink, red, orange, yellow or purple etc.) appear to burst out of the leaves like an elaborate firework display.

The Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeana) is an evergreen shrub belonging to the family Acanthaceae. The most compelling feature of this plant is the red-orange arched heart shaped bracts surrounding the white flowers. When grown in light shade and moist soil it can grow to be 3 to 4 feet in height and blooms throughout the year. Other than being a native species of Mexico this ornamental plant can be grown by propagation from cuttings or air layering. Different flower bract colors resplendent in several cultivated species include yellow, pink and dark brick-red.

Located at the entrance to the Rainforest Medicinal trail of the lodge is the Provision Bark (Pachira aquatica), which is also known as the “Money Tree”. This plant is known to improve health and well-being and is found in local folklore as attracting good luck, money and wealth.

The toucan’s most distinguished feature is its prolonged bill that is coloured with a mixture of green, red, yellow, or orange and is formed from a substance called keratin which results in the bill being very light but exceptionally strong.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Heliconia Wagneriana. This species is a medium-sized heliconia that has beautiful pale yellow bracts with bright pink cheeks, and thin green borders.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Mexican Creeper which is scientifically known as Antigonon leptopus. Originally from Mexico, this fast growing vine holds via tendrils and is able to reach a height of 40 feet due to its underground tubers and large rootstocks.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Hammock of the Maya.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Northern Potoo and its scientific name is Nyctibius jamaicensis. The Northern Potoo is a nocturnal bird that belongs to the potoo family and can be found in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica and on the islands of Jamaica and Hispaniola.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Yellow Heliconia Caribaea which is a member of the plant family, Heliconiacaea. This tropical flower is native to Central and South America and is abundantly found in Belize, the Amazon rainforest, and some islands in the South Pacific.

Set out in the Caribbean Sea 21 miles northeast of Belize City and protected by the Belize Great Barrier Reef hugging its shores, Caye Caulker is the second largest of the 200 or so small islands, or cayes dotting the coast of Belize.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Oregano which is scientifically known as Coleus aromaticus benth. This Eurasian herb is a member of the mint family and has a peppery flavor with a mild hint of sage and thyme. If taken in excess, the herb releases a pungent chemical that can numb one’s tongue.

The growth of romantic vacations as a uniquely Belizean attraction has been highlighted again this week with the airing of The Bachelor reality TV show, and this is a welcome trend for Adventure Romance specialists such as Chaa Creek, the eco resort’s spa manager Bryony Fleming said. The 7th episode of the 16th season of The Bachelor began with Bachelor Ben Flanjik and six female contestants arriving in Belize for a holiday that ended with only four women remaining. The Belizean series included Ben and his dates leaping from a helicopter into the famous Blue Hole.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is The Cauldron of the Chiclero that was famously used to make chicle, many centuries ago.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Yucatan Banded Gecko which is scientifically known as the Coleonyx elegans. These small nocturnal lizards live primarily in rocky habitats and are strictly terrestrial with very elegant skin marks and red brown skin.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Christmas Palm Tree which is scientifically known as Veitchia merrillii. This tropical palm originated from the Philippines and has a polished grayish stem that becomes slightly swollen at the base with rings of old leaf scars rising up to the crown shaft where its flowering stalks are located.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the White-tipped Dove and its scientific name is Leptotila verreauxi.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Calabash and its scientific name is the Crescentia cujete. This small evergreen tropical tree belongs to the family of Bignoniaceae and is known to originate from Central America.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the White-Collared Manakin and is scientifically known as Manacus candei. These compact forest birds are short-tailed, big-headed, but are quite tiny measuring to a mere 11 cm in length, and 18.5 grams in weight.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Maya Harp. The Maya Harp is beautifully hand crafted and was an integral part of the Maya society since it was used for religious and healing ceremonies and for cultural and entertainment purposes.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Ixora Coccinea or Ixora Nora Grant flowering shrub. This popular hybrid is native to all tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world and its specimen dominates over 500 of its close relatives.