About Carludovica palmata Ruiz & Pav.
Carludovica palmata Ruiz & Pav. is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyclanthaceae, commonly called Panama hat plant, toquilla palm, calá, palmilla, palmero, pojom, jiraca, junco, soyacal, tepejilote, and jipijapa. This plant is not a true palm, though its leaves resemble the leaves of certain true palms like Chelyocarpus ulei. Unlike many true palms, C. palmata does not grow a woody trunk. This species features protogynous flowers: female flowers mature first, have large stigmas, while male flowers mature later and produce large amounts of pollen. Carludovica palmata is cultivated across a range from Central America to Bolivia. Its soft, flexible, durable fibers are used to weave Panama hats and other woven goods. In Central America, its leaf shoots are eaten as food.
