Pongamia Pinnata
/pɒŋˈɡeɪmiə pɪˈnɑːtə/noun
A tropical tree in the pea family, native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, also known as the Indian beech.
Did you know?Its seeds contain oil traditionally used in lamps and medicine, while the species name pinnata refers to its feather-shaped compound leaves—not to any supernatural property.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient South Asia
Malayalam
Pongam
“A vernacular name for the Indian beech tree”
18th Century
Latin botanical usage
Pongamia
“A genus name formed from the plant’s vernacular name, pongam”
Classical Latin
Latin
pinna
“Feather, wing, or fin”
Classical Latin
Latin
pinnatus
“羽-feathered or winged; furnished with feather-like parts”
18th Century
Botanical Latin
pinnata
“Feathered; having pinnate leaves”
Modern scientific nomenclature
Latin
Pongamia pinnata
“The species Pongamia pinnata, the Indian beech tree”