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Summary

Jinucuil or Ice Cream Bean, otherwise known as Inga jinicuil, is a tropical evergreen tree with a spreading crown, bright green leaves, creamy white flowers in clusters, and pod-type fruits. It is very fast-growing and widely planted in Central America as shade tree in coffee plantations. The fruit pulp is creamy white in color and slightly sweet in flavor. The seeds can also be eaten when cooked. Other common names include Coffee-shade, Guabo, Cuajiniquil and Shimbillo.

Physical Characteristics

Inga jinicuil is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant is not wind tolerant.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Feuilleea jinicuil (Cham. & Schltdl.) Kuntze

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Seed Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Inside the seedpod lies a slightly sweet, creamy, white, high protein pulp surrounding the brown seeds[307 ]. This pulp has a flavour likened to vanilla ice cream and is considered a delicacy by many, especially children[307 , 317 ]. The seedpod is about 20cm long and 5cm wide[307 ]. Seed - cooked[317 ]. Traditionally eaten with Phaseolus beans and Chenopodiium leaves[317 ].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Large shade tree. Street tree. Public open space. Xerophytic. Agroforestry Uses: Used as a shade tree in coffee plantations[307 , 317 , 408 ]. This was the first species cultivated for coffee shade in Central America, but due to its susceptibility to pests it is being replaced by other Inga species[317 ]. Other Uses: None known

Special Uses

Food Forest Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant for the lowland moist tropics[307 ]. Prefers a position in full sun in a fertile, well-drained soil[307 ]. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds[307 ]. Plants flower irregularly throughout the year[307 ]. The flowers are easily damaged by high winds or heavy rain[307 ]. 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[755 ]

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - Greenwood cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Ice Cream Bean, Jinicuil, Coffee-shade, Guabo, Cuajiniquil, Shimbillo, chalahuite, inga jinicuil,

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Belize; Costa Rica; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala, Nicaragua, Central America, Honduras, Mexico, North America, Panama, South America,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Annona vepretorum	Araticum, Pinha da Caatinga, Araticum-da-bahia	Tree	6.0	10-12	S	LMH	N	D	4	0	2
Archidendron jiringa	Jengkol, Jiringa	Tree	20.0	10-12	M	LMH	SN	M	4	2	2
Cacalia pseudo-taimingasa		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	FS	M	1	0
Cyperus longus	Galingale	Perennial	1.2	6-9	F	LMH	N	MWeWa	2	1	3
Drepanostachyum falcatum	Ringal	Bamboo	3.5	7-10	S	LM	S	M	2	0	3
Guibourtia pellegriana	Akume, Bubinga, Waka	Tree	25.0	10-12	S	LMH	N	M	0	0	4
Guibourtia tessmannii	Bubinga, Kevazingo	Tree	50.0	10-12	S	LMH	N	M	0	0	4
Inga cinnamomea	Inga Assu, Inga Acu	Tree	12.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	4	0	3
Inga densiflora	Densely flowered Inga	Tree	15.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	M	4	0	2
Inga edulis	Ice Cream Bean, Monkey Tamarind	Tree	18.0	9-12	F	LMH	SN	DMWe	4	2	3
Inga insignis	Guaba de zorro	Tree	8.0	10-12	M	LMH	SN	DM	4	0	0
Inga vera	Ice cream bean, River koko, Guaba, Pois Doux	Tree	15.0	10-12	F	MH	N	M	2	2	3
Microberlinia bisulcata	Zingana	Tree	35.0	10-12	F	LM	N	M	0	0	4
Microberlinia brazzavillensis	Zingana	Tree	35.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	0	0	4
Mimosa scabrella	abaracaatinga, bracaatinga, bracatinga	Tree	10.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	MWe	0	0	4
Moringa oleifera	Horseradish Tree, Moringa,	Tree	8.0	10-12	F	LMH	N		4	4	5
Moringa peregrina	Moringa	Tree	8.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	DM	2	2	3
Moringa stenopetala	African horseradish tree, cabbagetree	Tree	9.0	10-12	M	LMH	SN	DM	4	3	4
Sphagneticola trilobata	Singapore daisy	Perennial	0.4	9-11	F	LMH	SN	DM	0	2	2
Syringa josikaea	Hungarian Lilac	Shrub	4.0	2-7	M	LMH	N	M	0	0	3
Syringa vulgaris	Lilac, Common lilac	Shrub	6.0	3-7	M	LMH	N	M	1	1	3
Yushania anceps	Ringal	Bamboo	4.5	8-11		LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

Harms

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Inga jinicuil - Harms