Inga edulis
| Ice-cream-bean | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pod and seeds | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Mimosoideae |
| Tribe: | Ingeae |
| Genus: | Inga |
| Species: | I. edulis |
| Binomial name | |
| Inga edulis Mart. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
see text | |
Inga edulis (eng. ice-cream-bean, joaquiniquil, Mex. cuaniquil, guama or guaba) is a fruit native to South America. It is widely grown, especially by indigenous Amazonians, for shade, food, timber, medicine, and production of the alcoholic beverage cachiri. It is popular in Peru, Ecuador, Pernambuco-Brazil and Colombia.[1] The name ‘inga’ is derived from its name with the Tupí people of South America. In English they have been called "ice-cream beans" due to the sweet flavor and smooth texture of the pulp.
Description
Mature trees of Inga edulis reach 30 m (98 ft) high and 60 cm (2.0 ft) diameter at breast height, usually branching from below 3 m (9.8 ft). The branches form a broad, flat, moderately dense canopy. The pods contain black seeds which are embedded in a thick white juicy pulp that tastes slightly like vanilla ice cream.
Gallery
Flowers.jpg)
Mature and young pods
Synonyms
This plant has a convoluted history of synonymy with Inga vera. The plants discussed under that name by Brenan and Kunth are actually I. edulis, whereas that based on the writings of Carl Ludwig Willdenow refers to the actual I. vera. Inga edulis in works referring back to authorities other than von Martius usually refers to Inga feuilleei.[2]
Synonyms of Inga edulis Mart.:
- Feuilleea edulis (Mart.) Kuntze[2]
- Inga benthamiana Meisn.[2]
- Inga edulis var. grenadensis Urb.
- Inga minutula (Schery) T.S.Elias
- Inga scabriuscula Benth.[2]
- Inga vera Kunth[2]
- Inga vera sensu Brenan[2]
- Inga ynga (Vell.) J.W.Moore[2]
- Mimosa inga L.
- Mimosa ynga Vell.[3]
Footnotes
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Inga edulis. |
- Duke, James A. (1983): Inga edulis Mart. Crop Fact Sheet. Version of 07-JAN-1998. Retrieved 2007-DEC-17.
- International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS) (2005): Genus Canavalia. Version 10.01, November 2005. Retrieved 2007-DEC-17.
- Stuppy, Wolfgang (2012-08-31). "Ever had an ice cream bean for dessert?". Kew Millennium Seedbank Blog. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (2007): Germplasm Resources Information Network - Inga edulis. Retrieved 2007-DEC-18.