Inga vera
| Guamo churimo (Inga vera) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Inga vera [1] |
| Family | Fabaceae [1] |
| Order | Fabales [1] |
| Genus | Inga |
| Growth form | Evergreen tropical tree [3] |
| Native range | Tropical South America through Central America to Mexico [3] |
| Habitat | Moist forest, riverbanks and sheltered ravines [3] |
| Height | About 12–20 m [3] |
| Fruit | Narrow pods about 10–20 cm long, with sweet pulp around the seeds [3] |
Inga vera is an evergreen tree of humid tropical regions in the family Fabaceae. It is known by names including guamo churimo, churimo, guamo arroyero, and guamo macho. [4] The accepted name is Inga vera; historical treatments have placed related forms under several other names, including Inga berteriana, Inga berteroana, Inga inga, and Inga mociniana. [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The species is a variable evergreen tree, generally described at about 12–20 m high. Its natural range extends through tropical South America, Central America, and Mexico, where it is associated with moist forest, riverbanks, and sheltered ravines. [3]
The fruit is a narrow pod about 10–20 cm long. A sweet pulp surrounds the seeds, making the pulp the principal fruiting feature for growers. [3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Inga vera is associated with damp to wet soils in riverine and sheltered forest settings. [3] A moisture-retentive, well-drained medium is a reasonable cultivation starting point from that habitat; keep the root zone from drying hard while avoiding a persistently stagnant container or planting site.
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
The species is suited to humid lowland conditions and is described in both full sun and dappled shade. [3] Give a young tree warm, humid air and either open exposure with dependable moisture or filtered light where the site is hotter and drier. Acclimate plants gradually when moving them between those exposures.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Flowering and fruiting are described as capable of occurring throughout the year. [3] In cultivation, maintain moisture through warm dry periods rather than treating the tree as a drought-season plant; its natural settings are damp forest margins, riverbanks, and ravines.
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Fresh seed is the practical propagation route. Seed should be sown promptly after removal from the pod, because the species treatment describes fresh seed as sprouting rapidly, in about 3–5 days under suitable conditions. [3] Treat that interval as a useful guide rather than a guaranteed schedule, and move seedlings only after early growth has produced a workable root system.
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The species treatment describes flowering and fruiting at any time of year rather than assigning a single fixed season. [3] Pods are narrow and approximately 10–20 cm long, with edible sweet pulp surrounding the seeds. [3] Because the timing is variable, growers should follow pod development on the individual tree when deciding when fruit has reached usable maturity.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The pulp surrounding the seeds is described as edible and sweet. [3] The narrow pods are opened to reach the pulp around the seeds; the useful fruit characteristic is the soft, sweet covering rather than a fleshy pod wall.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ [4] Inga vera | Wikipedia.