Jipijapa, a plant commonly found in Ecuador, is known for its durable and versatile leaves that can be woven into hats, baskets, and other crafts. It is also commonly referred to by various synonyms such as toquilla, Panama hat plant, and Carludovica palmata. Toquilla is the commonly used term in Ecuador and refers specifically to the jipijapa leaves used to make hats. The name Panama hat plant comes from the fact that these hats were popularized during the construction of the Panama Canal. Carludovica palmata is the scientific name of the plant, which is derived from the combination of two Latin words, "carlud" meaning basket and "palma" meaning palm, due to its similar appearance to palm trees.