Vegetable ivory is a name used for the dried seedpod of the tagua
("tah-gwa") nut in the South American rainforest. It is found in Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Panama and Ecuador.
The ivory-nut palm,
Phytelephas aequatorialis ("phyton" for plant and "elephas" for elephant), or Phytelephas macrocarpa ("macro carpa" for large fruits), another
species in the Phytelephas genus, are species that can be harvested for
vegetable ivory. The seeds are
collected from female trees as they as they fall to the ground. Each female tree can produce up to 50 pounds of nuts every year. The fruits are extracted from a spiny ball in which they are encapsulated. The endosperm, which is the seed itself, is then dried for two months. A material with very unusual density is then obtained (2.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness - a penny is just under 3). The seeds can be peeled, sliced, carved, dyed, and are
used for beads, buttons, and jewelry. Their use stimulates the
economies in South
America, provides an alternative to cutting down rainforests for
farming, and prevents elephants from being killed for the tusk ivory.
Wearing tagua jewelry has been associated for hundreds of years in many South American tribes to love and harmonious living.
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