Pungai
/ˈpʊŋɡaɪ/noun
A tropical tree, especially Pongamia pinnata, also known as the Indian beech.
Did you know?The related botanical name Pongamia preserves the South Asian vernacular behind pungai, while the tree’s oil-rich seeds have long been used traditionally for lamps, treatments, and other practical purposes.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-modern South India
Dravidian
puṅkai
“A vernacular name for the pongam or Indian-beech tree.”
18th Century
Tamil
puṅkai
“The regional name applied to Pongamia pinnata.”
18th Century
Botanical Latin
Pongamia
“A botanical genus name formed from the South Asian vernacular name.”
19th Century
English
pungai
“An English common name for the pongam tree.”
Modern English
English
pungai
“The tree Pongamia pinnata, valued for its oil-bearing seeds.”
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