Cinnamon inga, Inga-assu, Inga-acu
Inga cinnamomea

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 10-15 m tall. The leaves are compound. They have leaflets along the stalk. There are 3 pairs of rounded, papery leaflets. They vary in size from 10-27 cm long and 4-10 cm wide. The larger ones are at the end. The flowering cluster is round. The flowers are white. The fruit are pods. They can be 30 cm long and have 8-15 large seeds. They are in a dense seed covering that is sweet and clings strongly to the seeds.

There are 350 Inga species. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally on the flood plains throughout the Amazon in Brazil. It grows up to 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Colombia (country/location of origin), Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Peru (country/location of origin), South America, Suriname

How it is used for food

The fleshy aril layer around the seeds is eaten fresh.

It is sometimes cultivated as a fruit tree. It is a popular fruit. Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds are collected from ripe pods. Seeds need to be sown fresh. They are best in light shade. Seedlings emerge in 10-20 days.

Plants grow rapidly.

Its other names

Local names

Anga-banana, Enhueman, Guamo, Inga-chinela, Inga-grossa, Inga bau, Inga batelao, Inga grande, Pacae, Pacay blanco, Swit'bonki, Shimbillo, Vaca paleta, Vaca shimbillo

Synonyms

Feuilleea cinnamomea (Spruce ex Benth.) Kuntze; Inga tessmannii var. harmsii J. F. Macbr.;