Inga Acu (Inga cinnamomea)

The Inga acu, also known as Inga assu, is a fast-growing tropical evergreen tree native to the Brazilian Amazon. A member of the Fabaceae family, the Inga acu is related to Carob and the Butterfly Pea. The very rare plant is a nitrogen-fixing giant, growing up to 90 ft. tall in ideal conditions! Grab your ladder and get ready to enjoy some sweet, melt-in-your-mouth fruit, or keep your tree pruned for easier access.  These Inga acu trees grow wide, open canopies bearing twisted, foot-long fruits filled with a white aril very similar in taste to the Ice Cream Bean. The fruit is eaten raw, out of hand, and is quite sweet. The wood is light, course, and irregularly grained- mostly used for scaffolding and fuel for fire.