Inga cylindrica

(Vell.) C. Martius

Cylindrical inga

Fabaceae Edible: Fruit, Pod pulp 16 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A tree. It grows 10-15 m high. The trunk is 50-60 cm across. The leaves are compound. They are 15-20 cm long with 4 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are oval and opposite. The fruit is a pod. It is 15-20 cm long. There are 10-15 seeds. These are 13-14 mm long by 8-10 mm wide.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. The white pulp surrounding the seeds has a very sweet flavour. The seedpod is 5 - 25cm long and 2cm wide, containing 6 - 14 seeds.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In Bolivia they grow up to 700 m altitude. They occur in areas with rainfall of 1,000-1,500 mm per year.

Where It Grows

Amazon, Andes, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Peru, South America, Suriname,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The seed are removed from the ripe pods and not allowed to dry out but planted fresh. Seeds germinate in 10-20 days. Seedlings are transplanted in 4-5 months.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A moderate rate of germination can be expected, with the seeds sprouting within 10 - 20 days. Transplant the seedlings to individual containers when they have 4 - 6 leaves and they should be ready for planting out 4 - 5 months later.

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, straight-gained, light in weight, soft, with poor durability. It is only used locally for items such as internal work for general construction. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal. A natural pioneer species within its native range, it is fast growing, fixes atmospheric nitrogen and also supplies food for humans and native wildlife, so it could be an excellent choice as a pioneer plant for re-establishing woodland.

Production

Plants grow quickly in the field. They can be over 2 m high in 2 years.

Notes

There are 350 Inga species. Also as Mimosaceae.

Synonyms

Feuilleea cylindrica (Vell.) KuntzeFeuilleea tenuifolia (Benth.) KuntzeInga albicoria PoncyInga polystachya Benth.Inga tenuifolia Benth.Mimosa cylindrica Vell.

Also Known As

Cuajiniquil, Inga, Inga-feijao, Pacay rosario

References (9)

Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 1513
Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 320
ILDIS Legumes of the World http:www;ildis.org/Legume/Web
Lorenzi, H., 2002, Brazilian Trees. A Guide to the Identification and Cultivation of Brazilian Native Trees. Vol. 02 Nova Odessa, SP, Instituto Plantarum p 183
Kew Plants of the World On line

Show all 9 references

Peres, M. K., 2011, Diasporos do Cerrado Atrativos para Fauna: Chave Interativa Caracterizacao Visual e Relacoes Ecologicas. Masters thesis. Universidade de Brasilia.
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.
Vasquez, Roberto Ch. & Coimbra, German S., 1996, Frutas Silvestres Comestibles de Santa Cruz. p 118