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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
Plant 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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Plant 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 Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico, Tamaulipas, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tabasco, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Ecuador (northwest),
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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| 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
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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