Ivory nut palm
Phytelephas macrocarpa

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm with a short stout trunk. It has a large crown of erect dark-green fronds. These fronds have stiff long, narrow leaflets. They are 1 m long. The male flower arrangement is a long, sausage-like spike of small white fluffy flowers. The female flower arrangement is rounded and dense. It is made up of large white, fleshy flowers. The male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The fruit is a composite fruit made up of four large seeds the size of a hen's egg. The seed contain a very hard layer of white food storage tissue. It resembles ivory and is carved into ornaments.

There are about 6 Phytelephas species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits hot, humid tropical climates. It needs a sheltered position. It does best in low, damp areas with good drainage of humid shaded mountain forests. A temperature range or 20°C at night and 35°C by day are suitable.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Panama, Peru (country/location of origin), SE Asia, South America

How it is used for food

The immature endosperm of the young fruit is eaten. It is jelly like. It is also used for drinks The fruit is used as a coffee substitute. The cabbage or growing tip is eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Nuts, leaves, palm hearts, cabbage, fruit, seed

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed are often slow and erratic to germinate. Germination can take 4-12 months. This may be improved by hot water treatment or by sowing shallowly and covering with sphagnum moss.

Palms fruit when 6 years old. They produce 4-9 fruit per year. Palms can fruit for 50 to 100 years. Each fruit weighs about 11 kg.

Its other names

Local names

Anon de palma, Chapi, Chapijinkiai, Chincha, Homero, Jarina, Negro’s Head, Palem gading, Palmera marfil, Shishije, Tagua palm, Vegetable ivory palm, Wakra ashanka, Yarina

Synonyms

Elephantusia macrocarpa (Ruiz. & Pav.) Willd.; Elephantusia microcarpa (Ruiz. & Pav.) Willd.; Phytelephas karstenii O.F.Cook; Phytelephas macrocarpa var. macrocarpa; Phytelephas microcarpa (Ruiz. & Pav.) Willd.; Yarina microcarpa (Ruiz. & Pav.) O.F.Cook;