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 Our
trees are special varieties of Pongamia pinnata,
a legume species native to Australia and India that
is also found in the US. Classified by the USDA as a
non-invasive, non-edible plant, Pongamia has long been
used for ornamentation and medicinal purposes in hot,
dry parts of the world.
Pongamia trees produce pods which contain seeds. These seeds can be crushed to extract non-toxic oil, which similar in physical properties to other vegetable oils that are used to produce biodiesel. Pongamia trees are highly resistant to heat (110+ degrees Fahrenheit), drought (less than 12 inches of annual rainfall), and saline soils. Furthermore, since they fix atmospheric nitrogen, Pongamia trees do not need nitrogen fertilizers; in fact, the trees effectively replenish nitrogen in the soil, thereby rehabilitating degraded land.
| For more independent information on Pongamia, please see the following links: |
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