Guama tree, Related inga
Inga affinis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20 m tall. The trunk can be 60 cm across. The leaves are twice divided with 4-6 pairs of large oval leaflets. The flowers do not have a stalk but have a scent. They are in crowded heads at the tips of the branches. The fruit is a long pod. It is 90 cm long. It has black seeds.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in tropical rainforests along the edges of rivers. It can be in wooded swamps. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The pulp around the seeds is edible raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

Bribri, Guaba, Guabilla, Guamo, Guamo chivo, Guamo rebalsero, Guavillo, Inga arroyo, Inga guasa, Inga-rana, Ingazeiro, Karoto, Pacae, Pohon eskrim kacang, Pohon inga afinis, Shimbillo, Sweetie boonthie, Waikey, Wajunuma, Y'aka

Synonyms

Feuilleea affinis (DC.) Kuntze; Inga acutifolia Benth.; Inga arrabidae Steud.; Inga spuria Willd. var. sordida Benth.; Inga velloziana Mart.; Mimosa umbellata Vell.;