Inga sapindoides

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. The leaves have leaflets in 3 pairs. They are almost the same size. The stalk has narrow wings. The leaflets and stalks have fine yellow or red hairs. The fruit is a long flat pod.

There are 350 Inga species. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial-Guinea, Galapagos, Guatemala, Guianas, Honduras, Mexico, North America, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The velvety aril or layer around the seeds is eaten raw. The green pods are sometimes boiled for an extended time and eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, pod pulp, fruit - aril

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

Caspiral, Cujin, Guabo pelado, Guatope, Nacaspilo, Quijiniquil, Suir saampi

Synonyms

Feuilleea lindeniana (Benth.) Kuntze; Feuilleea panamensis (Seemann) Kuntze; Feuilleea sapindoides (Willd.) Kuntze; Inga alatopetiola Schery; Inga antioquensis Britton & Killip; Inga biolleyana Pittier; Inga bonplandiana Kunth; Inga camuriensis Pittier; Inga caracasana Pittier; Inga chardonii Britton & Killip Inga eggersii Harms; Inga grandifolia Pittier; Inga hartii Urban; Inga jimeneziana Pittier; Inga lindeniana Benth.; Inga panamensis Seemann; Inga panamensis Seemann var. clavata Schery; Inga panamensis Seemann var. pittieri (M. Micheli) Schery; Inga panamensis Seemann var. rodrigueziana (Pittier) Schery; Inga pittieri M. Micheli; Inga preussii Harms; Inga purpusii Pittier; Inga rensoni Pittier; Inga rodrigueziana Pittier; Inga salvadorensis Britton & Rose; Inga similis Pittier;