Common Name:

General Information

Inga densiflora is a tree.
The pulp surrounding the seeds is highly prized within the plant's native range, where it is gathered from the wild and also often cultivated. The tree is also planted to provide shade in coffee plantations in Central America and in Venezuela[].
Inga densiflora has a large distribution that stretches from Mexico to northern South America. The taxon is known to occur within the protected areas network and is not considered to be affected by any major threatening processes at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico.

Habitat

Lowland and montane rainforest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. Highly valued, the white pulp surrounding the seeds has a sweet flavour[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is grown to provide shade in coffee plantations, mainly in C. America and Venezuela[]. It has the added bonus of enriching the soil with atmospheric nitrogen.
Inga species generally have a number of factors that make them popular for use as shade trees in coffee and cacao plantations:- they grow quickly and so soon make an effecte shade; they respond well to drastic pruning and so are easy to keep within the required size and shade levels; they promote and maintain soil fertility; they are effective soil stabilizers[].

Other Uses

The wood of Inga species is generally attractive, but it has a coarse texture, is susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites and is not durable in the soil[].
When grown as a shade tree, the plant is pruned on a regular basis, and these prunings are often burned as a fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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