Monkey whitey
Inga thibaudiana

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-12 m high. The trunk can be 10-40 cm wide. The branches are angular and hairy. The leaves are compound and alternate. There are 5-6 pairs of leaflets. These are 3-16 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. The fruit is a long pod 13-23 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The seeds are in a white pulp or fleshy layer around the seeds.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows between sea level and 200 m altitude. It grows in the hot wet tropics.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

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

Edible parts

Fruit - aril, pod pulp

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

Barizo pakay, Bribri macho, Bu, Guaba, Guaba de monte, Guabo, Guama de mico Guamo churimo, Illta kara kachi, Kashi sampi, Napurak, Noka bene, Oma Pacay colorado, Pakay yura, Tama-tama, Tekanamoe, Warakosa, Wayamu topuru, Xelel, Xename

Synonyms

Feuilleea thibaudiana (DC.) Kuntze; Inga gladiata Desv.; Inga macradenia Benth.; Inga peltadenia Harms; Inga recordii Britton & Rose; Inga tenuiflora Benth.; Inga thibaudiana DC. var. latifolia Benth.;