Densely flowered Inga
Inga densiflora

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

Inga densiflora is a tropical tree usually found in South America. The fruit is eaten raw and is highly valued for its sweet pulp surrounding the seeds. The plant is used as a shade tree in coffee plantations.

Inga densiflora is a TREE growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It can fix Nitrogen. 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. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Not known

S. America - Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico.

Conservation Status: Status: Least Concern

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; French Guiana; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Peru; Suriname; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, North America, South America,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw. Highly valued, the white pulp surrounding the seeds has a sweet flavour.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Agroforestry Uses: The tree is grown to provide shade in coffee plantations, mainly in C. America and Venezuela. It has the added bonus of enriching the soil with atmospheric nitrogen. Other Uses: None known

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

A tropical plant. Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Densely flowered Inga, Guamo, Guabo, Machitora, Machinius,

Synonyms

Inga heinei Harms Inga java Pittier Inga langlassei Pittier Inga limonensis Pittier Inga microdonta