This is a very variable species that has been separated by many botanists into a large number of distinct species. However this variability is not distinct with many intermediate forms found. Thus modern treatments generally have the one main species with several subspecies[].

Common Name:

General Information

Inga vera is an evergreen tree with a widely spreading crown of long branches and thin foliage; it can grow from 12 - 20 metres tall. The bole can be 30 - 100cm in diameter[].
The edible seedpods are gathered from the wild for local use, whilst the tree is often cultivated to provide shade in coffee and cacao plantations[]. It is also planted along the sides of roads and avenues in order to provide shade[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Tropical S. America, north to the Caribbean and through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Tropical moist forest[]. Along riverbanks and in sheltered ravines at elevations of 60 - 700 metres[]. Prefers damp to wet soils, growing mainly in secondary formations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 28°c, but can tolerate 15 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 4,000mm[].
Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade[]. Succeeds on a wide variety of soils, including limestone[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 8, tolerating 5.5 - 8.5[].
A fast-growing tree[, ].
The plant can flower and produce fruits throughout the year[, ].
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

The sweet tasting pulp found surrounding the seeds inside the pod is eaten[, , ]. It is not widely appreciated[]. The nearly cylindrical, narrow pods are 10 - 20cm long, 1 - 2cm wide[].

Medicinal

The macerated bark is taken orally as a treatment for anaemia[].

A decoction of the root is used as a treatment for gallstones[].

The pulp of the fruit is a treatment for constipation[]. It is reported to be astringent and diuretic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree fixes atmospheric nitrogen and so enriches the soil in which it grows. It is frequently used as a shade tree in coffee and cacao plantations, being large enough when only 3 years old[, , ].
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 bark is a source of tannins[]. It is used for dyeing textiles[].

The heartwood is pale brown to golden brown, with longitudinal streaks or patches of darker brown often shaded with green or yellow; the sapwood is whitish. The wood is moderately heavy; moderately hard; strong; tough; of low durability, being very susceptible to attack by drywood termites and other insects and to decay in contact with the ground. Rate of air-seasoning is rapid, and amount of degrade is moderate. Machining characteristics are as follows: planing, turning, boring, mortising, sanding, and resistance to screw splitting are good; and shaping is poor. It is used for making posts and small implements such as boxes, toys, pencils etc[, , ].
The wood makes an excellent fuel and is also used to make charcoal[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position either in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate of around 100% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 3 - 5 days[]. Transplant the seedbed seedlings to individual containers when they are 4 - 6cm tall. The seedlings develop quickly and should be ready to plant out 3 - 4 months later[].

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