Diphysa americana

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 4-15 m tall. The leaves are 8-14 cm long. They have 11-21 leaflets. These are 1.5-3.5 cm long by 0.5-1 cm wide. There are 6-7 flowers in a group. The pods are 5-8 cm long by 1-2 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. At ECHO.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The flowers become slimy when steamed and are added to beans or eaten with tortillas.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Amarillo, Camaroncillo, Chipilcoi, Chipilcoite, Chipilin, Cuachipil, Gallito, Gauchipilin, Guachepil, Matansiyat, Quebrancha, Rambai, Tenquiques

Synonyms

Colutea americana Mill.; Diphysa carthaginensis Benth. & Oerst.; Diphysa robinioides Benth.;