Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
alba
ID:
174324

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Sw.) Willd.

Source:
ildis

Year:
1806

Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 4: 1013 (1806)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000173653

Common Names

  • White Inga
  • White Ice Cream Bean
  • White Bean Tree

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Synonyms

  • Inga aggregata G.Don [valid]
  • Inga altissima Ducke [valid]
  • Inga sapida Benth. & Hook. [unknown]
  • Inga fraxinea Willd. [valid]
  • Mimosa alba Sw. [valid]
  • Inga spruceana Benth. [valid]
  • Inga thyrsoidea Desv. [valid]
  • Mimosa fraxinea Poir. [valid]
  • Inga carachensis Pittier [valid]
  • Inga mitaraka Poncy [valid]
  • Feuilleea aggregata (G.Don) Kuntze [valid]
  • Feuilleea alba (Sw.) Kuntze [valid]
  • Mimosa thyrsoidea Poir. [unknown]
  • Inga parviflora Sagot ex Benth. [invalid]

Description

Inga alba (also called 'White Inga', 'Guama', 'Inga Blanca', and 'Inga de Montaña', among many other common names) is a small tree or shrub native to Central and South America. It has a smooth, grey bark and its leaves are alternate, pinnate, and oblong-lanceolate. It is found in tropical and subtropical forests and is often found in disturbed areas.

Uses & Benefits

Inga alba is used as a medicinal plant, for erosion control, and as an ornamental plant.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Inga alba has small, white flowers with five petals and a long, narrow seed pod. The seeds are small and black. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with a few leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Inga alba is a shrub that can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can be grown in a variety of soil types. It can be pruned to keep it at a manageable size.

Where to Find Inga alba

Inga alba is native to Central and South America. It can be found in tropical and subtropical moist forests, as well as in disturbed areas.

Inga alba FAQ

What is the scientific name of Inga alba?

Inga alba

What is the common name of Inga alba?

White Inga

What is the natural habitat of Inga alba?

Dry, sandy soils in the southeastern United States

What is the flower color of Inga alba?

White to yellow

Species in the Inga genus

Inga allenii, Inga chocoensis, Inga exalata, Inga mortoniana, Inga acreana, Inga acrocephala, Inga adenophylla, Inga affinis, Inga alata, Inga aliena, Inga auristellae, Inga barbata, Inga barbourii, Inga belizensis, Inga bicoloriflora, Inga bijuga, Inga blanchetiana, Inga bollandii, Inga brachyrhachis, Inga brachystachys, Inga brevipes, Inga bullata, Inga bullatorugosa, Inga calantha, Inga calanthoides, Inga capitata, Inga caudata, Inga cayennensis, Inga cecropietorum, Inga chartacea, Inga chrysantha, Inga cinnamomea, Inga cocleensis, Inga cookii, Inga coragypsea, Inga cordatoalata, Inga coruscans, Inga cynometrifolia, Inga densiflora, Inga disticha, Inga dominicensis, Inga duckei, Inga fendleriana, Inga ferrugineo-hirta, Inga feuilleei, Inga glomeriflora, Inga goldmanii, Inga goniocalyx, Inga graciliflora, Inga gracilifolia,

Species in the Fabaceae family

References

Carl Ludwig Willdenow (1765-1812): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Willd.' in the authors string.
Olof Swartz (1760-1817): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Sw.' in the authors string.
Legume Data Portal link for: Inga alba (Sw.) Willd.: Based on the 2022 Legume checklist.