Blue Rhythmic Storm
From Panama, passing through Colombia, Ecuador and down to Peru there is a palm tree called Tagua that grows in the shadows of the tropical rainforest. It is found in the humid parts of the jungle and it generally grows up to 8 meters high.
The botanic name of this palm is Phytelephas Aequatorialis or Phytelephas Macrocarpa. The palm produces up to fifteen clusters with their fruits annually. The cluster has a hard skin containing in its exterior around thirty seeds or nuts. The seed is what makes this palm famous and appreciated. Those seeds grow up to 10cm long, although most are 5-6cm; their skin has a brownish color and its interior is a white cellulose substance that can be eaten.
The wonder comes when it is left under the sun’s rays for weeks and it dries. Its interior becomes very hard and white, similar to ivory. Thanks to ecologists, the Tagua has been used since the 1970’s to replace artistic products or decorations that were previously made out of ivory from elephants or rhinoceros.
Since then, it is being cultivated to produce buttons that are commercialized internationally, as well as handcrafts and decorative figures.
Enjoy!
Gastón
