Inga edulis, Inga affinis
Family: Mimosoideae / Mimosaceae
Ice Cream Bean, Inga, Guama
Origin: Central and Southern America
A large attractive tree with spreading branches and lovely white and yellow pompom type flowers. Between each leaflet there is a nectary gland on the leaf rachis. The pods look similar to a tamarind pod. A nitrogen fixing tree, produces bean pods up to 3 FT long which contain sweet, juicy, white pulp that has a soft cotton wool texture and tastes of vanilla ice-cream. “A delectable snack that comes in its own natural wrapper” which is loved by children. The seeds commonly germinate while the fruit is still attached to the tree. If you look carefully, you can see the bright green of the first leaves put out by the seed while it is still inside the fruit!
