Inga densiflora
Benth.
Dense flower inga
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Katherine Escobar Flor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Katherine Escobar Flor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Katherine Escobar Flor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaInga densiflora is a species of Fabaceae described by botanist George Bentham. The native range extends from South-East Mexico to Bolivia. It is the most common species of Inga utilized for its fruits in the highlands of Colombia. The common name is Guamo Salado in Central America and Pacay del Monte (mountain ice-cream-bean) in Bolivia.
Description
A tree. It grows 6-20 m tall. The flowers are white. The fruit is a long pod.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten raw. The white pulp surrounding the seeds is highly valued for its sweet flavour.
Traditional Uses
The aril or layer around the seeds is eaten raw.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
A tropical plant. In Mexico it grows between 100-2,250 m above sea level. It grows in humid places. It can be in the rainforest or cloud forest.
Where It Grows
Amazon, Andes, Belize, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela,
Cultivation
Plants grow easily from seeds. Seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks given moisture and shade.
Propagation
Seed.
Other Uses
The tree is grown to provide shade in coffee plantations, mainly in Central America and Venezuela, with the added benefit of enriching the soil through atmospheric nitrogen fixation.
Other Information
Fruit are sold in markets. It is highly priced. It is cultivated.
Notes
There are 350 Inga species. Also as Mimosaceae.
Synonyms
Also Known As
A'cho fino, Caite, Cuajiniquil, Eweban, Guaba, Guabo panaco, Guamo, Guabo, Kusillu pakay, Machetona pakay, Machitora, Machinius, Masa turu, Nomonebe, Nuampa, Otensia fino, Pacai machitona, Pilingas pakay, Shimbillo tablacho, Tona pene, Ttofi fino, Yana kara
References (15)
- Duchelle, A. E., 2007, Observations on Natural Resource use and Conservation by the Shuar In Ecuador's Cordillera del Condor. Ethnobotany Research & Applications 5:005-023
- Gonzalez-Espinosa, M. et al, 2011, The Red List of Mexican Cloud Forest Trees. Flora and Fauna International, Cambridge. p 101
- Grandtner, M. M., 2008, World Dictionary of Trees. Wood and Forest Science Department. Laval University, Quebec, Qc Canada. (Internet database http://www.wdt.qc.ca)
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 320
- Hermandez Bermejo, J.E., and Leon, J. (Eds.), 1994, Neglected Crops. 1492 from a different perspective. FAO Plant Production and Protection Series No 26. FAO, Rome. p15
Show all 15 references Hide references
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 438
- Kew Plants of the World On line
- Leon, J., 1966, Central American and West Indian Species of Inga (Leguminosae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Vol. 53. No. 3, p. 274
- Lopez-Diago, D. & Garcia, N., 2021, Wild edible fruits of Colombia. Biota ColomBiana 22 (2) p 38
- Reis, S. V. and Lipp, F. L., 1982, New Plant Sources for Drugs and Foods from the New York Botanical Garden herbarium. Harvard. p 115
- Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
- Torre, de la, L., et al, 2008, Enciclopedia de las Plantas Útiles del Ecuador. Herbario QCA. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. p 343
- Trans. Linn. Soc. London 30:617. 1875
- Van den Eynden, V., et al, 2003, Wild Foods from South Ecuador. Economic Botany 57(4): 576-603
- van Andel, T., 2000, Useful plants of Guyana. Non-Timber Forest Products of the North-West District of Guyana Part 2. p 373 (As Inga java)
