Corozo (Phytelephas macrocarpa)

Slow-growing palm, native to South America but subsequently introduced in other tropical countries. The large white seeds, contained in large round clusters of spiky fruits at the base of the palm, become very hard as they ripen and furnish what is known as vegetable ivory. The seeds were used for making buttons and other ornamental articles, but with the use of new synthetic resins this manufacture has almost ceased. Other palm nuts were also used as a source of vegetable ivory - for instance, doum palm nuts (see Hyphaene spp.).