Vegetable ivory

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/vegetable-ivory

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the botanical source?Endosperm of seeds from palm trees of the genus Phytelephas
2. What is the related topics?Sustainable fashion, eco-friendly materials, Amazonian biodiversity, ethical sourcing, traditional crafts
3. What is vegetable ivory and where does it come from?Vegetable ivory is a plant-made material that looks like real ivory. It comes from the seeds of ivory palm trees that grow in South American rainforests.
4. How is vegetable ivory made from the seeds?The seed’s inside starts as a liquid and slowly turns into a hard, white substance. After the seeds dry in the sun, the material is ready to be shaped.

Endosperm: Nutritive tissue within a seed that provides sustenance for the developing embryo.
Phytelephas: A genus of palm trees, commonly known as ivory palms, that produce tagua nuts.
Ethical Sourcing: Procuring materials in a way that is fair to workers and minimizes harm to the environment and animals.