Piassava

Description

A strong, coarse fiber obtained from the leaves of either of two palm trees, Attalea funifera or Leopoldinia piassaba, native to South America. Piassava fibers are stiff and woody. They are used for making mats, ropes, brushes, and brooms.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Attalea funifera; Leopoldinia piassaba; monkey grass; piassaba; Bahia bass

Physical and Chemical Properties

The fiber is composed of a fibrovascular bundle that appears in cross section as numerous small oval cells with larger cells in one region near the edge.