Acai Nut
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Bombona Seed
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Choloque Seed
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Coquito Nut
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Frijol Blanco
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Habilla Seed
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Huayruro Seed
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Pashaco Seed
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Tagua Nut
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ReferencesBotanical Beads of The World - Ruth Smith |
The Acai, aqai or asai nut comes from the Euterpe palm tree. The thin fleshy layer around the nut of the acai berry is used as a "superfood" nutritional supplement.
Bombona seeds are from the Dictyocaryum palm. 
Choloque or choloke seeds come from the Sapindus tree. The seeds are known as soapberries or soapnuts because of their use, when mashed, as a soap substitute.
Coquito or cokito nuts are like mini coconuts, sometimes referred to as Amazonian coconuts. They come from the Jubaea chilensis palm tree from which a sweet sap or "palm honey" is also taken.
Frioles blancos or "white beans" are from the Phaseolus plant.
Also known as "haba de San Ignacio" ("Saint Ignatius' bean"), the habilla seed comes from the Hura polyandra tree. The seeds are arranged in a circle, like orange segments, inside a pumpkin-shaped fruit. When the fruit dries out the sections burst open, flinging the seeds far and wide.
Huayruro seeds are produced by the Ormosia tree and are found as the "female" solid red huayruro hembra or "male" red and back huayruro macho. These seeds are used as good luck amulets and are symbols are fertility and abundance.
The Pashaco seed is from the Parkia tree and is also referred to as jaguar or puma claw because of its appearance. Often used in necklaces as replacement for an animal tooth.
The Tagua nut is from the Phytelephas or "ivory-nut palm". The nut can be carved and is often referred to as vegetable ivory because of its resemblance to elephant ivory. The carved nut is used for buttons, beads and other items. The production of Tagua is seen as beneficial to local Amazonian communities and provides an incentive to keep existing forest.