Nitrogen fixation

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which nitrogen is taken from its relatively inert molecular form (N2) in the atmosphere and converted into nitrogen compounds useful for other chemical processes (such as, notably, ammonia, nitrate and nitrogen dioxide).

Non-leguminous nitrogen fixing plants

Plants from many other families have similar associations, including:

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• Lobaria lichen and some other lichens
• Mosquito fern (Azolla species)
• Cycads
• Gunnera
• Alder (Alnus species)
• Ceanothus (Ceanothus species)
• Wax myrtle (Myrica species)
• Mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus species)
• Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
• Buffalo berry (Shepherdia argentea)
• Ironwood (Casuarina species), Sheoak (Allocasuarina species), and other genera in the Casuarinaceae