Tagua, Seemann ivory palm
Phytelephas seemannii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. The stems occur singly and are creeping. They form roots on the lower surface. The older section of the stems can die. It grows 4 m tall. The trunk is 30 cm across. It has many close leaf scars. There are 25-35 leaves. The leaves are 7 m long. There are 90 leaflets along each side. They are arranged regularly and are in one plane. The male flowers do not have stalks. The fruiting heads are 30 cm across. There are 5-9 fruit. There are 5-7 seeds per fruit.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow in lowland rainforest. They grow on alluvial soils under forest shade. They grow below 200 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Colombia, Panama, South America

How it is used for food

The young fruit is used as a drink. The mature fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, palm hearts, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anta, Tagwa

Synonyms

Phytelephas brachelus O.F.Cook; Phytelephas brachinus O.F. Cook; Phytelephas brevipes O.F.Cook; Phytelephas cornutus O.F.Cook; Phytelephas longiflora O.F.Cook; Phytelephas pittieri O.F.Cook; Phytelephas seemanii subsp. brevipes (O.F.Cook.)Barfod; Phytelephas seemannii subsp seemannii;