Millettia pinnata, commonly known as the Indian beech, Pongam tree or locally known as mempari, is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018). It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia (including Malaysia) and introduced to Africa, where it grows in a variety of habitats, including forests, savannas, and other grasslands (PROTA, 2016). The tree can reach heights of up to 30 meters (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018) and has a straight, cylindrical trunk with rough, dark brown bark (PROTA, 2016).

The leaves of Millettia pinnata are alternate and pinnate, with 7-11 leaflets and a glossy green color (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018). They are typically about 10-15 cm long and have a distinctive, feathery appearance (PROTA, 2016). The flowers of the tree are small and pink to white colour and are arranged in clusters on the branches (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018). They are followed by elongated, flat pods containing seeds (PROTA, 2016).

In Malaysia, the tree is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and roadside verges (Mohd et al., 2013). It is often used as a shade tree and is prized for its attractive, fragrant flowers, which are used in traditional medicine and in the production of perfumes and other fragrant products (Mohd et al., 2013).