White inga
Inga alba

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 35 m tall. It has straight buttresses. The bark is light red to brown. It has an irregular pattern from fallen pieces of bark. The twigs are angular. They are softly hairy when young. The leaves are compound. There are 3 stalks of leaflets and the leaflets are papery. The flowers are in spikes in the axils of leaves. They are brown and hairy. The spikes are in clusters. The flowers are white. The fruit is a pod 15 cm long by 1.7 cm wide and 0.8 cm thick. There are some veins across it. The pods are constricted between the seeds. There are about 10 seeds. The pulp of the pod is sweet and tasty.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and savanna forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The thin flesh around the seeds is eaten.

It is sold in local markets. The fruit pulp is thin and slightly bitter.

Edible parts

Fruit, aril

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

Aboonkini, Aganahuan, Anganawe, Apokonion, Apurukuni, Burzquillo, Doho arau, Ebenbawe, Guamito, Guamo, Guavo, Kuariyek, Kurang, Kwari, Kwariye, Lebioueko, Lebi-weko, Maborokoni, Manniballi, Maparokon, Montanero, Moximahi, Prokoni, Shimbillo, Whitey, Xixi rupe-'y, Yokar, Yoko pene

Synonyms

Feuilleea aggregata (G. Don) Kuntze; Feuilleea alba (Sw.) Kuntze; Inga aggregata G. Don; Inga carachensis Pittier; Inga fraxinea Willd.; Inga sapida Benth. non Kunth; Inga spruceana Benth.; Inga thyrsoidea Desv.; Mimosa alba Sw.; Mimosa fraxinea Poiret;