tagua palm

plant

Also known as: Phytelephas aequatoialis, Phytelephas macrocarpa(Show More)

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The tagua palm, also known as the ivory palm, is a plant that produces ivory nuts. These nuts are a source of vegetable ivory, which is used for various items. The tagua palm is one of several palm species with economic importance, though it is not as widely utilized as the coconut or African oil palm.12

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palm
Economic importance
…tagua, or ivory, palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis) grown for vegetable ivory; and a fiber palm (Aphandra natalia). In Southeast Asia the production of rattan from species of Calamus (C. caesius, C. manan, and C. trachycoleus) is a promising industry. Commercial production of sago from trunks of
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…tagua, or ivory, palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis) grown for vegetable ivory; and a fiber palm (Aphandra natalia). In Southeast Asia the production of rattan from species of Calamus (C. caesius, C. manan, and C. trachycoleus) is a promising industry. Commercial production of sago from trunks of
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South America
Specialized cash crops
…the hard seeds of the tagua palm, found in much of northern South America but particularly in lowland Ecuador.
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…the hard seeds of the tagua palm, found in much of northern South America but particularly in lowland Ecuador.
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