Vegetable Ivory, Tagua, Nut Palm, Ivory nut palm
Latin Name: Phytelephas macrocarpa
USDA Hardiness: 10-12
Native Range: SOUTHERN AMERICA: Brazil (Acre, Amazonas), Bolivia (El Beni, La Paz, Pando), Peru (Cusco, Huánuco, Junín, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Pasco, Ucayali)
Edibility Rating: 2 / 5
Medicinal Rating: 0 / 5
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Medicinal Uses
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Apical bud Fruit Seed | Edible Uses: Coffee DrinkThe apical bud is cooked and eaten as a vegetable[412 ]. Eating this bud will lead to the death of the tree since it is unable to form side branches[K ]. The seed tissue of the immature fruit is liquid - it is used as a refreshing drink[301 , 412 ]. A sweet flavour[423 ]. Young fruits[301 ]. The fruit has been used as a coffee substitute[301 ].
Cultivation
Industrial Crop: Vegetable ivory Management: Standard Regional CropA plant from the warm tropics, though it can tolerate occasional short-lived temperatures down to around freezing[423 ]. Prefers a moist soil and a warm, sheltered position[314 ]. A slow-growing plant, it can take from 7 - 25 years from a young seedling before it starts to produce fruit[423 ]. The flowers are heavily scented[423 ]. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[768 ].
Known Hazards
None known
Habitats
Rainforest[314 ]. Lowland rainforests on alluvial soil[412 , 768 ].