dispersers include the Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), and lowland paca (Agouti paca). Uses The seeds are traded at a regional international level as vegetable ivory, which is also called tagua. This commercial use is a threat to the species, but progress is being made on using more sustainable practices and conservation. As the tree typically grows only tall, it fortunately was not chopped down to harvest the seeds as was done with Phytelephas aequatorialis at the peak of tagua harvesting. The jelly-like liquid in the immature seeds, which later turns into the vegetable ivory, is edible. Occasionally in the marketplaces of Guna Yala the thin crust surrounding the ivory is sold as food. In Colombia the fronds are sometimes used for thatch. References External links seemannii Flora of Colombia Flora of Panama Conservation dependent plants Ivory Sculpture materials Handicrafts Plants described in 1912 Non-timber forest products Taxonomy articles created by Polbot