Piassava, also piaçava (Portuguese pronunciation: [pi.(j)ɐˈsavɐ]), piaçaba ([pi.(j)ɐˈsabɐ]), piasaba, pissaba, piassaba, and piaçá ([pjɐˈsa]), is a fibrous product of Brazilian palm species Attalea funifera and Leopoldinia piassaba. It is often used in making brooms and for other purposes. Piassava was historically exported to Europe before the widespread use of synthetic materials such as plastic. Today, it is mostly used locally in South America.
See also West African piassava palm
References
Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon Vol. I by Lieutenant William Lewis Herndon (1853) chapter 14, p. 285 Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)