Pongamia pinnata

Description

Often called the Pongam tree, Karanja, or the Indian Beech, Pongamia pinnata is a tough-as-nails, multi-purpose tree native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is a medium-sized tree with a dense, umbrella-like canopy of glossy dark green leaves and beautiful clusters of fragrant lavender, pink, or white pea-like flowers.  The most famous attribute of the tree is its thick, woody seed pods. The seeds inside contain30% to 40% oil. While the oil is bitter and completely inedible, it burns incredibly well. Historically used to light village lamps, it has become a premier candidate for biodiesel production because it can be grown on marginal land without competing with food crops. This tree thrives where others give up. Thanks to a massive, aggressive network of lateral roots, it is a master at binding soil together to prevent erosion and stabilize sand dunes.

Taxonomic Sources

• International Plant Name Index IPNI