Pongamia pinnata

The Pongam Oiltree, Sukh Chayne Tree, or the Indian Beech, (Pongamia pinnata) is a species of tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, native to eastern and tropical Asia. Ideal for Pakistan’s hot climate as it cannot survive in the cold, the Sukh Chain tree is an evergreen species that is often grown at roadsides due to the shade it provides to pedestrians. It is also a tree that is ideal for small gardens, as it does not reach an extraordinary height and is fairly easy to manage in terms of upkeep. However, while the tree’s roots and seeds are used in a number of medicinal concoctions, its seeds are poisonous when they are consumed in their raw form. Thus, pay close attention to this tree during the flowering season in the spring and dispose of any seeds that you find on the ground. This goes especially true if you have kids at home. Within Pakistan it is the Territorial tree of Islamabad Capital Territory.