The question of whether ivory is a plant arises because materials closely mimic the appearance of traditional ivory. Traditional ivory is unequivocally an animal product, derived from the tusks and teeth of certain mammals. However, a plant-based material exists that is so similar in color and texture that it earned the name “vegetable ivory.” This similarity is the likely source of the common misunderstanding.
Traditional Ivory: Defining the Animal Product
Traditional ivory is a hard, white material fundamentally composed of dentin, a specialized, dense tissue found in the teeth and tusks of mammals. Dentin is a biomineral composite, primarily consisting of mineralized collagen fibers interwoven for strength and resilience. The dentin forms the main bulk of the tusk, surrounding a central pulp cavity that contains nerves and blood vessels.
The most widely recognized source is the elephant tusk, which is actually a continuously growing upper incisor tooth. Walruses, hippopotamuses, sperm whales, and narwhals also produce ivory. Regardless of the animal source, the chemical makeup is consistently dentin, largely calcium hydroxylapatite crystals reinforcing a collagen matrix. This composition results in a durable material known for its smooth texture, ability to take a high polish, and suitability for three-dimensional carving.
Tagua Nut: Nature’s Substitute for Ivory
The plant-based alternative is the Tagua nut, or vegetable ivory, which comes from the seed of certain palm trees. These palms, predominantly from the genus Phytelephas (meaning “elephant plant”), are native to the tropical rainforests of South America. The Tagua nut is the hard, white endosperm of the seed, which starts as a milky liquid before hardening.
Chemically, this material is almost pure cellulose, creating a dense, white kernel that closely resembles animal ivory in color and texture. Tagua palm trees are a sustainable source because they produce fruit for decades, and the nuts are gathered after they naturally fall to the forest floor. This harvesting method requires no cutting of the tree and provides a material suitable for carving accessories like buttons and jewelry.
Identifying the Difference Between Animal and Vegetable Ivory
A primary method for distinguishing between the two materials involves examining the internal structure, which is visible on polished cross-sections. In elephant ivory, a unique, net-like pattern of intersecting arcs, known as Schreger lines, is observable. These lines are a visual artifact created by the specific three-dimensional arrangement of the dentinal tubules.
Vegetable ivory does not display Schreger lines because it is cellulose-based, not dentin. When examined under magnification, the Tagua nut material shows a fine, concentric, or marbled grain structure. A practical identifier is the central void or “pith” cavity often found in the Tagua nut, which limits carved objects to typically no more than two inches. Animal ivory pieces rarely exhibit this size limitation or a similar central cavity.
The materials also react differently to tests, such as exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Genuine animal ivory usually fluoresces with a bluish-white tone under long-wave UV light, while vegetable ivory often appears slightly warmer or more orange in tone. Traditional ivory tends to be slightly denser and heavier than its plant-based counterpart.