This genus was originally named by Jørgen Brunchorst, in 1886 to honor the German biologist Albert Bernhard Frank.

Becking [de; nl] redefined the genus in 1970 as containing prokaryotic actinomycetes and created the family Frankiaceae within the Actinomycetales.

[8][clarification needed] Frankia is a gram-positive Bacteria that is found on the roots of plants.

[9] Frankia tolerates a narrow range of temperatures and soil pH levels.

Though Frankia would not be suitable for all agriculture it does demonstrate possibilities in select areas, or in temperature controlled environments.

[citation needed] Frankia forms nodules via two methods of root infection, intercellularly and intracellularly.

F. datiscae" Persson et al. 2011] F. inefficax F. asymbiotica F. saprophytica F. discariae F. soli F. elaeagni F. irregularis F. casuarinae F. canadensis "Ca.