Inga marginata (Guama)

Native to tropical America, this evergreen tree develops a rounded to spreading crown. Its compound leaves commonly have two pairs of glossy, pointed leaflets, with the basal pair smaller. The leaf stalk and central axis are winged, and small cup-shaped glands occur between the leaflet pairs. Axillary flower spikes bear numerous slender white stamens. Flattened green pods become yellowish and more inflated around the seeds as they mature. The white pulp surrounding the seeds is edible. The tree grows in moist forests and is also planted for shade and restoration. Photographed in Colombia.