Common Name:

General Information

Inga punctata is a tree with a broad, spreading crown; it can grow from 6 - 15 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 30cm or more in diameter and unbranched for up to 8 metres[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible seed and pulp in the seedpods, whilst it is also cultivated as shade tree in coffee plantations and is used in soil restoration projects[].
Inga punctata is very widespread and common in Central and northern South America and is not considered to be threatened or in decline 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, Bolivia and Brazil, north to the Caribbean and Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Found in moist forests from low elevations to the premontane zone[]. Dry, loamy soils in clearings, on forest margins and occasionally along steep, grass-covered hill slopes at elevations from 120 - 1,350 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of low to medium elevations in moist tropical areas.

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

Seeds - cooked[].

The white aril surrounding the seeds in the pod is sweet and edible[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Grown as a shade tree in coffee plantations[].
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[].
The tree's fast growth and heavily branched canopy make it useful for planting in degraded soils in order to restore their fertility[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is brown and perishable. The sapwood is a pale yellowish-white with long, narrow, greyish or pale brown streaks caused by sapstain[]. The wood is hard, fairly heavy, straight-grained, rather fine-textured, not durable[, ]. It is used for making chests and flooring[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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