Red inga
Inga pezizifera

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 35 m tall. The trunk can be 40 cm across. The crown is flat. Young branches have red hairs. The leaves have leaflets in 4 or 5 pairs. The leaf stalk has narrow wings. The flowers are in the axils of leaves in bundles of 5-7 groups. They are near the tips of young branches. The flowers are tuber shaped and have a sweet smell. The pod hangs down and is dark green. It is 18 cm long by 3 cm wide and 1.5 cm thick. It is swollen over the seeds. There are 16-18 seeds. They are 2 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are surrounded by a thick white pulp.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the wet lowlands. It grows in forests along roadsides and riverbanks.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

It is a popular fruit.

Edible parts

Pod pulp, fruit, aril

How it is grown

Plants grow easily from fresh seeds. Seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks given moisture and shade. Plants can develop new shoots after the trunk has been cut.

Its other names

Local names

Anakara, Anakoro, Doho arau, Guama pompeya, Kodia-weko, Lebi-weko, Mora whitey, Sapur ingua, Shimbillo, Swit'bonki, Warakosa

Synonyms

Feuilleea pezizifera (Benth.) Kuntze; Inga microstachya Britton & Killip.; and others