Warakosa
Inga bourgonii

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20-40 m tall. The twigs are dark reddish-brown. The leaves are compound. The leaflets are leathery. The flowers are in clustered spikes in the axils of leaves. These are 5 cm long. The fruit are pods 10-17 cm long by 0.6 cm wide. They are green to black. They are slightly swollen over the seeds. There are about 12 seeds. The pulp is sweet.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical America. It grows on the floodplains and occasionally in uplands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The pulp is eaten.

The fruit are popular.

Edible parts

Pod pulp, fruit

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

Abonkini, Adai-weko, Bewetempoye, Buguiahue, Burzquillo, Ebenbawe, Guamo, Lebioueko, Maporokon, Pacay, Prokonie, Sacha pacai, Shimbillo, Swit'bonki, Warakosa, Yana cara pacai

Synonyms

Feuilleea bourgonii (Aubl.) Kuntze; Inga apta J. F. Macbr.; Inga assimilis Miq.; Mimosa alba Vahl non Sw.; Mimosa bourgonii Aubl.;