Pongamia pinnata

• Botanical Name : Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre
• Synonyms : Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi
• Common Name : Karanj, Pongam Tree, Indian Beech Tree, Pongame Oil Tree
• Plant Family : Papilionaceae
• Plant Form : Tree
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 1, 3, 5, 10, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Ayurvedic Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra

About Pongamia pinnata Plant :

• Habit : A deciduous tree.
• Leaves :
  • Imparipinnate leaves.
  • Leaflets 5-9, opposite, ovate-oblong, acute, stipules long.
• Inflorescence : Axillary racemes.
• Flowers :
  • White or purplish, bracteoles ovate.
  • Calyx campanulate, purplish, corolla pinkish-white, standard suborbicular, wings obliquely oblong, keel obtuse, stamens 10, monadelphous, anthers versatile.
  • Ovary 2-ovuled, style incurved.
• Fruit : Pod obliquely-oblong, compressed, woody, 1-seeded.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : April - June
• Significance :
  • Planted on roads as a shade plant.
  • The seeds yield an oil which is very useful in skin diseases, eczema.