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.