Jinicuil
Inga jinicuil

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 20 m tall. The crown is spreading like an umbrella. The leaves are bright green and have leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-4 pairs of leaflets. These are 8-11 cm long. The midrib has wings. The flowers are creamy white and held in clusters. They have thread like stamens. The flowers have a scent. The fruit are bean-like pods. They are large and heavy with many ridges along them. The pods are 20 cm long by 5 cm wide. The seeds are in a sweet white pulp. The pods are green but darker with age.

There are 350 Inga species. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native from Mexico to Costa Rica. It grows beside streams. It can grow in areas subject to periodic flooding. In Mexico it grows between sea level to 1,880 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, South America

How it is used for food

The pulp of the pods is sweet and eaten. The seed embryo is boiled or roasted and used to make soup.

The pulp of the pods in enjoyed especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit pulp, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. They can also be grown from cuttings under mist.

It is very fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Algodoncillo, Bitze, Ca'la'm, Chalahuite, Coffee-shade, Cojinicuil, Cuajiniquil, Cuilmacheton, Guajinicuil, Guabo, Ice cream bean, Jinicuil, Kalam, Paterna, paterno, Ta'chki, Shimbillo, Talax, Uijnikuile, aina, Xinicuil

Synonyms

Inga paterno Harms; Inga radians Pittier; Feuilleea jinicuil (Schltdl. & Cham ex G. Don) Kuntze;