Pacay, Andean ice cream, Cuming inga
Inga feuillei

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 18 m tall. Young branches have rusty hairs. The leaves are compound. They are once divided with leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-4 pairs of leathery narrow oval leaflets that taper to the tip. The flowers have a strong scent. The fruit are red. The fruit are green flattened pods. They are 20-60 cm long. They have raised edges that makes them 4 angled.

There are 350 Inga species. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits a hot humid tropical lowlands climate. In the Andes it grows between 1,000-2,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Australia, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Marquesas, Pacific, Peru, South America, Tahiti, USA

How it is used for food

The white pulp of the pods is eaten. It is rich in sugar and frothy. The seeds are cooked and eaten.

It is cultivated in home gardens.

Edible parts

Fruit, pulp, seeds

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

Cuming inga, Guabo, Guama, Pacae, Pacai, Pacay, Pocae

Synonyms

Feuilleea feuileei (DC.) Kuntze; Inga cumingiana Benth.; Inga pacai Oken; Inga reticulata Spreng.;