Pigeon Pea – Cajanus cajan

Forest Friday is looking at the Pigeon Pea – Cajanus cajan.

“Knowledge is great, understanding is better”

This is a chance for us to explore the different trees we use in our permaculture designs. There is so much to understand about a tree before placing it in a system, and by giving a tree what it needs to thrive, the whole system can benefit from the many design and ecologic functions they provide.

Savour Soil uses the Pigeon Pea – Cajanus cajanin many designs, as a living hedge, IPM (integrated pest management) and privacy screen, fertility tree ad fodder but there is so much more to this tree.

Habits:

• Cultivated in all tropical and semitropical regions, though can tolerate dryer climates.
• Perennial, in which the crop can last three to five years
• It responds well to coppicing as it is fast growing.
• Wind tolerant and drought hardy
• It is easily propagated by seeds all year.
• Light green foliage

Needs, Tolerances + Susceptibilities:

• Pigeon Pea is very drought-resistant
• Established plants rarely need watering, except in extremely long dry periods.
• It can be burned by a light frost.
• Will tolerate most soils provided they drain well.
• Tolerates rainfall less than 650 mm annual rainfall
• Young plants require watering as they establish.

Charactoristics + Behaviours:

• Pigeon pea is a evergreen shrub.
• Growing 2-4m tall with a similar spread.
• Small yellow flowers in spring to autumn.
• Self-mulching.
• It has lance/olate to elliptical light green shape leaves which can help to capture and retain some heat helping to create cooler conditions.
• A shallow root system makes it easy to remove if necessary
• sprinkle of good compost around the base of the plant annually in spring.

Design Function:

• Has a dense foliage to help support habitat for small birds.
• Due to its height and spread it creates a fantastic low level wind break + shelterbelt.
• Can be used to help create microclimates
• Can be planted around trees to help provide fertility
• Small animals can use it for shade.
• Can be used as a living fence or windbreak that hedges easily.
• Provides erosion control and builds soil.
• Can be used as a cover crop
• Makes a great living trellis
• Most eaten legume in the world – pulses
• Is a fantastic Insectary/nectary plant, great fodder for animals
• Self-replicating mulch

Products:

• Edible legumes
• Grows quickly and provides lots of organic material.
• Structure and flowers provide food and home for insects and birds
• Fodder for animals.

Ecological Function:

• Pigeon pea grows quickly helping to create microclimates
• Pigeon pea builds organic matter which helps nourishes soil.
• Using Pigeon pea as a companion helps build soil fertility.
• Habitat for small birds which frequent the garden.
• Fodder for insects and other animals

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