Food Forest Plants
Food Forest Plants
Sorry, I am not allowed to ship to WA, TAS, NT, and I don’t ship internationally!
$8.50
12 in stock
Let’s talk about the fruit’s quality first: Ice cream bean is often described as having soft, fluffy, sweet pulp that tastes like vanilla ice cream. Yes, the pulp tastes sweet and nice, but in most cases it is only thin. There are apparently huge and very edible clonal trees in the Amazon, but unfortunately, these are not available in Australia. What’s available are unselected seedling trees, and wouldn’t that be a nice breeding project?
Since then, I’ve heard there are some single trees with better-quality fruit. However, ice-cream bean does not seem to come true to type.
Note: the trees sold are about 10 cm more or less at the time of writing! But they grow quite fast.
Having described the fruit quality previously, does the tree have any functions besides being very pretty? Ice cream bean is highly valued in permaculture circles for its ability to fix nitrogen. It is a fast-growing pioneer species. It likes lots of water and can be grown along a creek side. Ice cream bean can cope very well with our poorly drained clay soil.
As a legume, it fixes nitrogen, supports microbial activity, and fungal networks. It acts as a nurse tree, which helps to establish other fruit trees.
Grows best in frost-free subtropical to tropical climates; will tolerate only very light, brief frosts and is damaged by freezing temperatures. Prefers full sun for strong growth but will handle light shade, and thrives in well-drained to seasonally moist soils, including heavier clay if not permanently waterlogged. Once established it is fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing, and fairly resilient, but young plants need protection from cold, wind, and prolonged wet feet.
In our garden, it sulks in drought, and some branches may die back, but so far none of them has died of drought.
The hotter the climate the faster it grows!
Disclaimer:
We love plants as much as you do! All plants sold by Food Forest Plants are intended for ornamental, educational, or gardening purposes. Some may have traditional culinary or medicinal uses, but we cannot give medical advice—please consult a qualified professional before consuming or using any plant. We take great care in labelling, but mistakes can happen. Food Forest Plants is not responsible for any illness, injury, or other effects from using, handling, or consuming plants. Use at your own risk.
Let’s talk about the fruit’s quality first: Ice cream bean is often described as having soft, fluffy, sweet pulp that tastes like vanilla ice cream. Yes, the pulp tastes sweet and nice, but in most cases it is only thin. There are apparently huge and very edible clonal trees in the Amazon, but unfortunately, these are not available in Australia. What’s available are unselected seedling trees, and wouldn’t that be a nice breeding project?
Since then, I’ve heard there are some single trees with better-quality fruit. However, ice-cream bean does not seem to come true to type.
Note: the trees sold are about 10 cm more or less at the time of writing! But they grow quite fast.
Having described the fruit quality previously, does the tree have any functions besides being very pretty? Ice cream bean is highly valued in permaculture circles for its ability to fix nitrogen. It is a fast-growing pioneer species. It likes lots of water and can be grown along a creek side. Ice cream bean can cope very well with our poorly drained clay soil.
As a legume, it fixes nitrogen, supports microbial activity, and fungal networks. It acts as a nurse tree, which helps to establish other fruit trees.
Grows best in frost-free subtropical to tropical climates; will tolerate only very light, brief frosts and is damaged by freezing temperatures. Prefers full sun for strong growth but will handle light shade, and thrives in well-drained to seasonally moist soils, including heavier clay if not permanently waterlogged. Once established it is fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing, and fairly resilient, but young plants need protection from cold, wind, and prolonged wet feet.
In our garden, it sulks in drought, and some branches may die back, but so far none of them has died of drought.
The hotter the climate the faster it grows!
Disclaimer:
We love plants as much as you do! All plants sold by Food Forest Plants are intended for ornamental, educational, or gardening purposes. Some may have traditional culinary or medicinal uses, but we cannot give medical advice—please consult a qualified professional before consuming or using any plant. We take great care in labelling, but mistakes can happen. Food Forest Plants is not responsible for any illness, injury, or other effects from using, handling, or consuming plants. Use at your own risk.