Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Inga alba
Food
Firewood
Lumber
Medicinal
Peru Common Name
Monte pacae, Shimbillo
Tree Family
Average Leaf Size (cm)
8.25cm
Length
×
3.4cm
Width
Tree Height
Medium (20–35m)
Elevational Range (m)
>320m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Peru
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Prevalence
Unknown
Cultivation
Unknown
Tree Management
Unknown
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Food
- Firewood
- Lumber
- Medicinal
Wood is sometimes marketed and has been recommended for utility plywood, flooring, coatings, general construction, carpentry, furniture, boxes, and light cabinet manufacturing. Sometimes grown for the edible and sweet "meat" around the seed. The bark is chewed or used in a decoction as a treatment for dysentery, and is also used as a treatment for female infertility. The bark is used externally as a wash or poultice to treat ulcers, ant bites, swelling, sores, wounds, and cuts. It is grated and then pressed as a remedy to soothe mouth sores in babies. The inner bark has antimicrobial activity and is placed in abscesses to remove pus. A decoction of the leaves is used to treat fever.
Farm Services
- Unknown
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Eaten by birds such as warblers and woodpeckers as well as capuchin monkeys.
Citations
Citations
Plants of the World Online POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org;
Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2022-07-13. tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Inga+alba;
Encyclopedia of Life. Accessed 13 July 2022. Available from http://eol.org;
Mendoza, A. L. M., & Guerrero, M. H. (2010). Catálogo de los árboles y afines de la Selva Central del Perú. Arnaldoa, 17, 203-242.