Ice Cream Bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ice Cream Bean
• ice-cream-bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Inga conferta
• Inga benthamiana
• Inga scabriuscula
• Inga scabriuscula var. villosior
• Feuilleea conferta
• Feuilleea edulis
• Feuilleea scabriuscula
• Inga complanata
• Inga uncinata
• Inga edulis var. parviflora

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Fabales and falls into the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Inga, specifically as the species Inga edulis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern focused primarily within the tropical regions of Africa. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is notably recorded in Nigeria. Its range extends further into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Additionally, the species is distributed across the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. Finally, its geographical footprint reaches into the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Inga edulis is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse environmental conditions and varying altitudes. This species exhibits a significant elevational range, thriving from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2140 m AMSL. It occupies a wide array of habitats, demonstrating ecological plasticity by colonizing both natural and human-altered landscapes. Its typical habitats include anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), riparian zones such as gallery forests (Floresta de Galeria) or fringe forests (Floresta Ciliar), and seasonally flooded environments like floodplain forests (Floresta de Vázea). Furthermore, it is found in semi-deciduous seasonal forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual), ombrophilous or rainforest environments (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial), and coastal restinga ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2140 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Inga edulis is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist and maintain its structure over many years. Throughout its long lifespan, the species exhibits an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage year-round rather than undergoing seasonal leaf shedding. This combination of a long-term perennial lifecycle and constant green canopy enables the plant to maintain consistent photosynthetic activity and contribute to its robust growth patterns within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Inga eduulis is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that exhibits a self-supporting growth form. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. This tree can reach significant dimensions, with an average height of approximately 17 m, although it is capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 26 m. As a robust, woody plant, it maintains a stable, upright structure without the need for climbing or liana-like habits.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

26 m

Plant height mean:

17 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Inga edulis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. As a nitrogen fixer, the plant engages in a symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and growth in nitrogen-limited soils. Furthermore, its structural physiology is reflected in its wood properties, exhibiting a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 760 mg/cm³, which contributes to its mechanical strength and overall biomass integrity.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

760 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Inga edulis is characterized by a specialized dispersal strategy and specific seed morphological traits. The plant utilizes a fleshy fruit type, which facilitates a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the movement of its seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit consistent mass and volume metrics, with a recorded seed mass that is uniform at 0.539 g (representing both the minimum and maximum values). In terms of spatial dimensions, the seeds vary in volume, ranging from a minimum of 180 mm³ to a maximum of 680 mm³, with an average seed volume of approximately 403.33 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

0.539 g

Seed volume max:

680 mm³

Seed volume mean:

403.333333333333 mm³

Seed volume min:

180 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Inga edulis has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, Carotenoids, FAT, Flavonoids.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Carotenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

beta-carotene

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Inga edulis has 207 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic?.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations