Devil's Ear. Earpod tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Enterolobium cyclocarpum is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich in saponins and these are destroyed by heat. — Edible Portion: Seeds, Pods, Fruit, Vegetable.; The young seedpods and seeds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.; The yellow layer of the young pods is eaten.; The seeds are about 20 x 15mm, and are contained in a distinctive, thickened, contorted, indehiscent pod that resembles an ear in form.

Habitat & North American Range

A climax, dominant species in subtropical, dry forest zones, restricted to disturbed areas in wetter forest types. Dry lowland forests and savannahs. Dry hillsides and by streams, usually below elevations of 300 metres in Guatemala. A tropical plant. It is native to tropical America. It grows in dry, lowland forest and savannah. (Zone 10)