Pongame Oiltree
Pongamia pinnata
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Caroline Is., China, Christmas I., Fiji, Guam, Hainan, India, Japan, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Marianas, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is.
Bias Chakraborty
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Pongamia
- Species:
- Pongamia pinnata
- USDA Symbol:
- MIPI9
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
🛑Hawaiian Leafwing (Polygonus leo)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots and trunk after fire or cutting damage.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in coastal and riverine areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification by nicking or soaking in hot water improves germination. Fresh seeds germinate best.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI