Vegetable ivory

Vegetable ivory, also known as corozo, is a name used for the tagua nut in the South American rainforest. When dried out, it can be carved as an ivory replica. Both humanitarians and environmentalists can appreciate it, for its use stimulates the economies in South America, provides an alternative to cutting down rainforests for farming, and prevents elephants from being killed for the ivory in their tusks.

The ivory-nut palm, Phytelephas aequatorialis, is one plant that can be harvested for vegetable ivory. It is often used for beads, buttons, and jewelry, and can be dyed. Phytelephas macrocarpa, another species in the Phytelephas genus, is also used for this purpose. More recently, palm ivory has been used to make bagpipes.

External links

• Site Dedicated to Tagua
• Some information and photos about Tagua
• What is Tagua? Article with photographs
• Video about Tagua. Plantations in Ecuador, South America
• Vegetable Ivory: Saving Elephants & The Rain Forest
• The New Student's Reference Work/Ivory, Vegetable
• Images of bagpipes made from african blackwood and palm ivory