Inga Assu, Inga Acu
Inga cinnamomea

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

nga cinnamomea or commonly known as Inga assu is a fast-growing evergreen tree reaching up to 25 m in height, with an open crow and cylindrical bole of up to 60 cm in diameter. It can be found in South America, particularly in Brazil, Bolivia Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, French Guiana, and Surinam. The fruit is eaten raw. The tree is often used as a shade tree in plantations. It is a natural pioneer species and has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria which form root nodules and fix atmospheric nitrogen. The wood is coarse, light in weight, and used for scaffolding, temporary constructions, boxes, etc.

Inga cinnamomea is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast 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): 12

Where it is found

Forests in riverine flood plains in both primary and secondary formations.

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, French Guiana, Surinam.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Colombia; Bolivia, Plurinational State of; Ecuador; Peru; Brazil

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw. The seeds are covered in a dense, white aril that has a sweet flavour. The fruit is a legume up to 30cm long and 8cm wide, containing 8 - 15 large seeds.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry Uses: The tree is often used to provide shade in plantations, often by being left as the native forest is cleared. A natural pioneer species within its native range, it is fast-growing and a popular food crop so should make an excellent pioneer for re-establishing woodland. Other Uses: The wood is coarse-textured, irregular to spiral-grained, light in weight, hard to cut, with a low resistance to rot. It is used for scaffolding, temporary constructions, interior ornamental screens, boxes etc. The wood is used for fuel.

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Pioneer: Plants, usually trees and shrubs, that can be used to reforest land.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

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

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Grows best in a sunny position. Plants can withstand periodic inundation of the soil. A fast-growing tree. The branches are generally infested with boring ants. 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.

Propagating it: Seed - it needs to be sown as soon as possible once it is ripe. Sow in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are usually almost 100%, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 20 days.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Feuilleea cinnamomea (Spruce ex Benth.) Kuntze