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Glite Dictionary
Pongamia glabra

Pongamia glabra

9.9
An evergreen tree from Asia with shiny divided leaves and white scented flowers used for shade
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Pongamia glabra
  • Many gardeners choose Pongamia glabra for its glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers.

Examples

  • Farmers often plant Pongamia glabra along roadsides because of its beautiful flowers and large leaves.

  • The shady spot under the Pongamia glabra became a popular place for students to gather.

  • The leaves of Pongamia glabra are used in some traditional medicines.

  • The Pongamia glabra is known for its beautiful flowers.

  • Many gardeners prefer Pongamia glabra for its shade.

  • Farmers often plant Pongamia glabra along roadsides because it provides ample shade and has beautiful flowers.

  • The shady spot under the Pongamia glabra tree became a popular place for students to gather during lunch.

Synonyms

Indian beech
vsPongamia glabra
  • Indian
9.2

An evergreen tree with shiny leaves and white fragrant flowers that give good shade

is presented as the species used especially as a shade tree
Pongamia
vsPongamia glabra
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical tree with seeds that have a lot of oil used to make fuel

is described for its ornamental shade role rather than seed oil value

Surface Forms

Pongamia glabra singular
Pongamia glabras plural

Morphology

Pongamia + glabra

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species) rather than a normal English compound; the specific epithet 'glabra' is not a common English word and the botanical naming convention is unfamiliar to a B1 learner. Even if a learner knew 'Pongamia' as a tree, they would not be able to derive the full meaning or descriptive sense from the constituents, so the phrase is not transparently interpretable.

Etymology

Pongamia glabra may come from local names like 'pongam' used in South India, and the part glabra is Latin for 'smooth', a nod to the tree's shiny leaves. So the name helps you remember this glossy-leaved tree often used for shade.