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Summary

nga cinnamomea or commonly known as Inga assu is a fast-growing evergreen tree reaching up to 25 m in height, with an open crow and cylindrical bole of up to 60 cm in diameter. It can be found in South America, particularly in Brazil, Bolivia Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, French Guiana, and Surinam. The fruit is eaten raw. The tree is often used as a shade tree in plantations. It is a natural pioneer species and has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria which form root nodules and fix atmospheric nitrogen. The wood is coarse, light in weight, and used for scaffolding, temporary constructions, boxes, etc.

Physical Characteristics

Inga cinnamomea is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast 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

Feuilleea cinnamomea (Spruce ex Benth.) Kuntze

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[[416 ]. The seeds are covered in a dense, white aril that has a sweet flavour[416 ]. The fruit is a legume up to 30cm long and 8cm wide, containing 8 - 15 large seeds[416 ].

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

Containers Fuel Pioneer Wood

Agroforestry Uses: The tree is often used to provide shade in plantations, often by being left as the native forest is cleared[317 , 416 ]. A natural pioneer species within its native range, it is fast-growing and a popular food crop so should make an excellent pioneer for re-establishing woodland[K ]. Other Uses: The wood is coarse-textured, irregular to spiral-grained, light in weight, hard to cut, with a low resistance to rot[625 ]. It is used for scaffolding, temporary constructions, interior ornamental screens, boxes etc[625 ]. The wood is used for fuel[625 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows best in a sunny position[625 ]. Plants can withstand periodic inundation of the soil[625 ]. A fast-growing tree[625 ]. The branches are generally infested with boring ants[625 ]. 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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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - it needs to be sown as soon as possible once it is ripe. Sow in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are usually almost 100%, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 20 days[625 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Colombia; Bolivia, Plurinational State of; Ecuador; Peru; Brazil

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants

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 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 jinicuil	Ice Cream Bean, Jinicuil	Tree	20.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	4	0	1
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

Spruce ex Benth.

Botanical References

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.

Inga cinnamomea - Spruce ex Benth.