Panama hat plant
The plant’s strong leaves are good for making woven items, including the famous Panama hat.
The leaves of the Panama hat plant are extremely fibrous and are used, among other things, in the weaving of hats. It takes six young leaves to make a hat. The finest quality hats are very light and are woven so finely that they are waterproof. Older leaves are used for mats and bags.
The Panama hat originated in Ecuador. The hats were exported to Panama, from where they were shipped to Europe and the rest of America, hence the name ‘Panama hat’.
The Panama hat plant resembles a palm, as suggested by the Latin name palmata, but the Panama hat plant is not related to the real palms like the coconut palm or the ivory palm.
Fact box:
- Greenhouse location: Tropican house
- Danish name: Panama hat plant
- Latin name: Carludovica palmata
- Family: Panama hat family / Cyclanthaceae
- Natural habitat: Tropical South America