Ice-cream bean tree - Inga edulis

Description and Uses

Inga edulis (Ice-cream bean tree) is a tropical tree from Amazone. It is mainly grown for its fruit crops (medium shelflife), but also Other uses include; conservation, fertilization, fodder, fruit, fuel, mulch and ornamental can be produced. The crop is harvested by hand picking. It starts flowering after 2 - 4 years. The first yield will be 300 pods/tree but in its top season there will be a yield of 1500 kg/tree. The fruit is edible. Medical uses include; there are no known medical uses. The - contains - n/a - (0% - 0%). There is Inga edulis flower oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s flower yielding 0.5% - 1% oil. The tree`s wood is called Icecreambean wood and has a density of 510 - 540 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 4700 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 12 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Inga edulis has a lifespan of 35 years.

---

Environmental limitations

The tree is 30 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Inga edulis has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices fungus. (endo-mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Bradyrhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by bees. Inga edulis is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Inga edulis thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1600 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 9°C and optimally between 16 - 27°C. The optimal rainfall is 1800 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 900 - 1800 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 4.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is intolerant to wind intolerant and to fire intolerant.

---

Pests and Diseases

is susceptible to Anastrepha distincta as pest and to Damping off as disease diseases.

---

Seed Propagation

Seeds are recalcitrant and can be stored for 2 months. There are approximative 60 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds in water or in the fruit at room temperature, (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.

---