Pole kunge -Indian beach tree

Pole kunge, Ponga mara(Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre) one of the native trees in Kodagu is a evergreen tree which grows up to 10 m tall. Bark is smooth and greyish brown. Flowers are whitish pink to purple in colour.

Kodava

Pole kunge, Ponga mara

English

Indian beach tree

Kannada

Honge mara

Botanical Name

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre

Family

FABOIDEAE

Flowering starts

February

Fruiting ends

July

Uses

The wood is used for making parcel cases and cheap furniture. The seed oil is used as a luminant and insecticide. The tree has high calorific value and hence used as fuel wood.