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Inga densiflora - Benth.

Common Name Densely flowered Inga
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range S. America - Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Inga densiflora Densely flowered Inga


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Inga densiflora Densely flowered Inga

 

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Summary

Inga densiflora is a tropical tree usually found in South America. The fruit is eaten raw and is highly valued for its sweet pulp surrounding the seeds. The plant is used as a shade tree in coffee plantations.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Inga densiflora is a TREE growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium 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

Inga heinei Harms Inga java Pittier Inga langlassei Pittier Inga limonensis Pittier Inga microdonta

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[317 ]. Highly valued, the white pulp surrounding the seeds has a sweet flavour[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

Agroforestry Uses: The tree is grown to provide shade in coffee plantations, mainly in C. America and Venezuela[317 ]. It has the added bonus of enriching the soil with atmospheric nitrogen. Other Uses: None known

Special Uses

Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A tropical plant. Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[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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The PFAF Bookshop

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

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Densely flowered Inga, Guamo, Guabo, Machitora, Machinius,

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico, Chiapas, SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Chiriquí, Coclé, Veraguas, Panama (San Blas), Chiriquí, Coclé, Veraguas, French Guiana, Guyana, Venezuela, Aragua, Distrito Capital, Yaracuy, Colombia, Antioquia, Cauca, Magdalena, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Ecuador, Carchi, Esmeraldas, Imbabura, Los Ríos, Morona Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Tungurahua, Sucumbíos, Peru, San Martín,

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 : Status: Least Concern

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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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Benth.

Botanical References

1

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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