Pongamia
/pɒŋˈɡeɪmiə/noun
A tropical plant genus in the pea family, traditionally represented by the Indian beech tree, Pongamia pinnata.
Did you know?Pongamia pinnata is now often called Millettia pinnata, and its oil is being investigated as a renewable biodiesel source.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-modern period
Malayalam
pongam
“A vernacular name for the Indian beech tree, now generally identified with Pongamia pinnata.”
Pre-modern period
Tamil
pungai
“A South Indian vernacular name for the same or a closely related tree.”
18th Century
Botanical Latin
Pongamia
“A genus name formed from the South Indian vernacular tree name with the botanical ending -ia.”
1788
Botanical Latin
Pongamia
“The genus was formally established in botanical classification by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.”
Modern English
English
pongamia
“A common English name for the genus or, especially, for Pongamia pinnata, the Indian beech.”
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