I haven't seen a discussion here of the non-legume nitrogen fixers. Fascinating group.
Most of them form nodules with
Frankia species actinobacteria (as opposed to the rhizobia that symbiose with the legumes).
Some fruiting examples:
Yangmei (
Myrica rubra) and others in the Bayberry genus Myrica. Not only do some produce edible fruits, but many produce wax that was used to make candles.
Guomi (
Elaeagnus multiflora), Hardy Silverberry (
E. commutata) and others in the genus
Elaeagnus (e.g. russian olive,
E. augustifolia)
Some natives/ornamentals:
Alder,
AlnusWax myrtles (
Myrica californica, M. cerifera), used by some here as rootstocks for yangmei. Anyone tried
M. hartwegii?
Ceanothus species
Mountain Mahoganies,
CercocarpusMany of these nitrogen fixers are pioneer species in inhospitable conditions, which makes sense. Can be invasive.
I just planted goumi and hardy silverberry. Very different root systems. Guomi has a mass of multi branched thin roots. Did not notice any nodules. The Hardy silverberry on the other hand had 3 larger roots with few side branches and several obvious large nodules.
I see lots of posts on TFF regarding actinorhizal plants, but not much discussion of nodules, nitrogen fixing, inoculation, etc. E.g. Goumi (Eaeagnus multiflora), E. latifolia
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=558, E. pyroformis
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=4379Anyone else fascinated by these guys?