Several related plants have been placed into this genus at one time, for example Yopo (Cohoba, Mopo, Nopo or Parica – Anadenanthera peregrina – as Inga niopo).

The pulp covering the seeds is lightly fibrous and sweet, and rich in minerals; it is edible in the raw state.

The tree's name originates from the Tupi word in-gá meaning "soaked", due to the fruit powder consistency.

Within the Inga genus there are around 300 species, most of them native and growing in the Amazon forest region although some species are also found in Mexico, Greater and Lesser Antilles and other countries in South America, being an exclusively neotropical genus.

[5] Alley cropping techniques using species of Inga have been developed to restore soil fertility, and thereby stem the tide of continual slashing and burning of the rainforest.