Vegetable ivory, Corozo, Ivory palm
Phytelephas aequatorialis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

Phytelephas aequatorialis or also known as Vegetable Ivory or Corozo is a tropical, dioecious palm found in Australia, Brazil, Central America, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and other parts of South America. It is a solitary palm growing about 16 m tall, with trunk diameter of up to 30 cm. It has a large and round leaf crown, with each leaf measuring about 5-6 m long. It is the main source of a botanical alternative to ivory known as Ecuadorean vegetable ivory or tagua. The seed is edible. Liquid endosperm is consumed as a drink. The leaves are cooked and the apical buds are eaten as a vegetable. The endocarp is very hard and used for making buttons, chess pieces, etc. The leaves are used as a thatch.

Phytelephas aequatorialis is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Beetles, Flies, Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

An understorey palm of the rain forest, growing on wet lowlands, often near rivers, on the coastal plain; ascending to 1,500 metres. It is often left in pastures when the forest is cleared.

S. America - western Ecuador.

Conservation Status: Status: Near Threatened

Countries/locations it is found in

Ecuador, Australia, Brazil, Central America, Panama, Peru, South America,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The seed is eaten in various ways. When immature, the liquid endosperm is used as a refreshing drink. As it becomes harder and more jelly-like, it is eaten as a food. The orange, fleshy fruit is eaten as a delicacy. Leaves - cooked. The apical bud, often known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make side shoots.

Apical bud: Typically, the end of a shoot contains an apical bud, which is the location where shoot growth occurs.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses: The endocarp of the seed is very hard. Known as vegetable ivory, it is used for making buttons, chess pieces and ornamental articles of various kinds. The leaves are used as a thatch.

Beads: Used as necklaces etc.

Buttons: Plants that can be used as buttons. Not including making buttons from wood.

Thatching: Used for making thatched roofs.

How it is grown

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Vegetable ivory, Corozo, Ivory palm, tagua - Spanish, Coroso, Tagua, Trapa, Cade,

Synonyms

Palandra aequatorialis (Spruce) O.F.Cook