Vegetable ivory: Encyclopedia - Vegetable ivory

Vegetable ivory

Vegetable Ivory is a name used for the Tagua nut in the South American rain forest. When dried out, it can be carved as an ivory replica. Humanitarians and environmentalists can both appreciate it because its use stimulates the economies in South America, provides an alternative to cutting down rain forest for farming, and prevents elephants from being killed for their tusks.

The Ivory-nut palm, Phytelephas aequatorialis, is one plant that can be harvested for vegetable ivory. It is often used for beads and jewelry and can be dyed.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Vegetable ivory", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki