Inga jinicuil

Harms

Ice Cream Bean, Jinicuil

Fabaceae Edible: Fruit, Seed, Seedpod

gbif· cc0

Daniel Fernicola

gbif· cc0

Daniel Fernicola

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Description

Inga jinicuil is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant is not wind tolerant.

Edible Uses

Inside the seedpod lies a slightly sweet, creamy, white, high protein pulp surrounding the brown seeds. This pulp has a flavour likened to vanilla ice cream and is considered a delicacy by many, especially children. The seedpod is about 20cm long and 5cm wide. Seed - cooked. Traditionally eaten with Phaseolus beans and Chenopodiium leaves.

Distribution

Central America - Mexico to Costa Rica.

Where It Grows

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico, Tamaulipas, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tabasco, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Ecuador (northwest),

Cultivation

A plant for the lowland moist tropics. Prefers a position in full sun in a fertile, well-drained soil. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds. Plants flower irregularly throughout the year. The flowers are easily damaged by high winds or heavy rain. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby

Propagation

Seed - Greenwood cuttings.

Other Uses

Large shade tree. Street tree. Public open space. Xerophytic. Agroforestry Uses: Used as a shade tree in coffee plantations. This was the first species cultivated for coffee shade in Central America, but due to its susceptibility to pests it is being replaced by other Inga species. Other Uses: None known