Tagua or Vegetable Ivory This palm grows in the tropical rainforests of the Pacific region, especially in Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. Tagua has many commercial applications that could preserve other natural resources. In addition, the preservation of Tagua is important for the conservation of the natural environments where it is found. Every time you wear a piece of Tagua jewelry or a garment with Tagua buttons you are saving a tree, you are doing your part of conservation, defending the world and combating climate change.