Inga laurina
Inga laurina, commonly known as the pink ice-cream bean, is a versatile tropical legume prized for its medicinal and ecological benefits. Renowned for its striking pink flowers, this plant is traditionally used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory conditions and skin ailments, while providing vital nitrogen to forest ecosystems.
- Scientific name: Inga laurina
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Inga, which includes the species Inga laurina.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Inga | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical range spanning across several distinct regions. Within the Malesia zone, it can be found specifically on the island of Jawa. Its distribution extends into the Southwestern Pacific, where it is present in New Caledonia. In the Americas, the species is located throughout various parts of Mexico, including the Mexico Gulf. Furthermore, its presence is noted in the Mexico Northwest and the Mexico Southwest regions.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Southwestern Pacific | New Caledonia | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
Chemicals
Inga laurina has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-vinyl-phenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 4-vinyl-phenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| p-hydroxybenzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |