Pongame Oiltree or Karanj

Pongamia pinnata

Name

Marathi: करंज

Biological Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Spermatophyta
Sub-Division: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Sub-Class: Polypetalae
Series: Calyciflorae
Order: Rosales
Family: Leguminosae
Sub-Family: Papillionaceae
Genus: Pongamia
Species: pinnata

Advantages

  • It is usually planted on roadsides as a shade plant with cooling effect.
  • Its seeds yield an oil which is very useful in skin diseases.

Interesting Facts

The plant got its name from the Malayalam word "Pongam", which is the local name of the tree in the Malabar region.

Description

  • It is an evergreen tree with imparipinnate leaves.
  • It bears pinkish-white, attractive flowers.
  • Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre.