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Inga cinnamomea - Spruce ex Benth.

Common Name Inga Assu, Inga Acu
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests in riverine flood plains in both primary and secondary formations[416 , 625 ].
Range S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, French Guiana, Surinam.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Inga cinnamomea Inga Assu, Inga Acu


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Inga cinnamomea Inga Assu, Inga Acu

 

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Summary

nga cinnamomea or commonly known as Inga assu is a fast-growing evergreen tree reaching up to 25 m in height, with an open crow and cylindrical bole of up to 60 cm in diameter. It can be found in South America, particularly in Brazil, Bolivia Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, French Guiana, and Surinam. The fruit is eaten raw. The tree is often used as a shade tree in plantations. It is a natural pioneer species and has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria which form root nodules and fix atmospheric nitrogen. The wood is coarse, light in weight, and used for scaffolding, temporary constructions, boxes, etc.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Inga cinnamomea is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
It can fix Nitrogen.
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. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Feuilleea cinnamomea (Spruce ex Benth.) Kuntze

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[[416 ]. The seeds are covered in a dense, white aril that has a sweet flavour[416 ]. The fruit is a legume up to 30cm long and 8cm wide, containing 8 - 15 large seeds[416 ].

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

Containers  Fuel  Pioneer  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: The tree is often used to provide shade in plantations, often by being left as the native forest is cleared[317 , 416 ]. A natural pioneer species within its native range, it is fast-growing and a popular food crop so should make an excellent pioneer for re-establishing woodland[K ]. Other Uses: The wood is coarse-textured, irregular to spiral-grained, light in weight, hard to cut, with a low resistance to rot[625 ]. It is used for scaffolding, temporary constructions, interior ornamental screens, boxes etc[625 ]. The wood is used for fuel[625 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows best in a sunny position[625 ]. Plants can withstand periodic inundation of the soil[625 ]. A fast-growing tree[625 ]. The branches are generally infested with boring ants[625 ]. 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

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - it needs to be sown as soon as possible once it is ripe. Sow in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are usually almost 100%, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 20 days[625 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: French Guiana, Suriname, Brazil, Acre, Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, Bolivia, El Beni, Colombia, Vaupés, Ecuador, Napo, Pastaza, Peru, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Ucayali,

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

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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.

 

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Spruce ex Benth.

Botanical References

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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.

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