Photo by Bob Thomas, taken at Tikal National Monument, Guatemala, May 2005.
Photo by Bob Thomas, Bacab Eco-park near Ladyville, Belize District, Belize, March 2005.
Photo by Bob Thomas, San Miguel Village, Toledo District, Belize, May 2005.
Photo by Bob Thomas, San Miguel Village, Toledo District, Belize.
Photo by Bob Thomas, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Stann Creek District, Belize, May 2005.
Various palms are used throughout the world’s tropics. In Belize, for example, there are two principal types.
The upper 3 photos show thatching using botan, or bayleaf, palm (Sabal mauritiiformis). It is called bayleaf when young, and botan when it achieves its tree-like growth form. It is always vertical in the roofing. The next two photos are of the actual plant.
The thatch leaf of choice by the Maya in southern Belize is the cohune palm (Attalea cohune). This species is always placed horizontally in the roofs. The bottom photo is of a cohune palm, and the two above it show thatching and a cohune thatched roof.