This species is closely related to, and sometimes included in, Inga jinicuil[, ].

Common Name: Paterno

General Information

Paterno is a medium-sized tree growing from 8 - 15 metres tall[].
The edible seedpods are gathered from the wild for local use and are sometimes sold in local markets[]. The seeds are occasionally sold, bottled in vinegar[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central America - Mexico to Costa Rica.

Habitat

Wet to rather dry forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of tropical climates, succeeding in wet to rather dry areas[].
Tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including limestone[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Inside the seedpod there is a sweet tasting, white pulp that surrounds the seed. This pulp is eaten raw and is much appreciated[, ]. The pod is 9 - 12cm long, 4 - 5cm wide[].

Seed - cooked. Only the cotyledons are used[], they are removed from the seed, blanched, then salted and used in salads or desserts[, , ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

This was the first species in the genus that was planted for shading coffee; but a high susceptibility to a kind of witches-broom disease, and the damage made to the coffee trees by people who collect the edible legumes, is causing the abandoning of its cultivation[].
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 -
Greenwood cuttings.

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