Warako-sa
Inga ingoides

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-25 m tall. The twigs are fairly thick. They are angular and have a reddish-brown covering when young. The leaves are compound. The leaflets are papery. They hang down when young. The flower heads are in the axils of leaves. They are short and dense. The fruit is a cylinder shaped pod. It is usually twisted. It is 35 cm long by 1 cm across. It has a yellow-brown covering. They have furrows along them. The seeds are in a sweet edible, white pulp.

There are 350 Inga species. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In grows in the coastal plain in wet or dry areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Lesser Antilles, North America, Peru (country/location of origin), Puerto Rico, South America, Suriname, Trinidad, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

It is also cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, pod 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

Coto chupa, Guama, Guamo cafetero, Guabilla, Inga, Pacae colorado, Pacai, Pacay, Warakosa

Synonyms

Feuilleea ingoides (Rich.) Kuntze; Inga galibica Duchass. & Walp.; Inga meriana Splitg.; Inga ornata Kunth; Mimosa ingoides Rich.;