Guaba, Smooth calyx inga
Inga leiocalycina

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 22 m tall. It has buttresses. The leaves have 2 pairs of leaflets. They have golden hairs when young. The flowers are white and in short clustered spikes. The fruit are pods that can be 15-40 cm long. They are dark green and swollen around the pods. The pulp of the pods is white.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is usually in uplands but also in floodplains. It grows up to 1,000 m above sea level in the Amazon. It can grow in areas with a distinct dry season as well as in area with a year round rainfall.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru (country/location of origin), South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The aril or fleshy layer around the seeds is eaten raw.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit - aril, pod pulp

How it is grown

Plants grow easily from seeds. Seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks given moisture and shade.

Its other names

Local names

Aague, Aguhue, Ananawen, Apipjoroi, Goiwagawe, Guabilla, Guamo careota, Inga leite, Kala oueko, Kalo-weko, Inga leite, Lebi-weko, Llutipa, Main sampi, Noywagawe, Pois sucre, Prokoni, Qui, Shimbillo de la cocha, Shimbillo del rosario, Warakosa

Synonyms

Inga dumosa Benth.; Inga multiflora Benth.; Inga rufinervis Benth.; Inga semiglabra Pittier; Inga tenuirama Harms; Inga yuckeri Standl.;