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Useful Tropical Plants

Derris trifoliata

Lour.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Brachypterum floribundum Miq.

Dalbergia heterophylla Willd.

Deguelia floribunda (Miq.) Taub.

Deguelia trifoliata (Lour.) Taub.

Derris floribunda (Miq.) Benth.

Derris forsteriana Blume ex Miq.

Derris heterophylla (Willd.) Back.

Derris multiflora Benth.

Derris pubipetala Miq.

Derris uliginosa (Willd.) Benth.

Galedupa uliginosa (Willd.) Roxb.

Pongamia uliginosa (Willd.) DC.

Pterocarpus frutescens Blanco

Robinia uliginosa Willd.

Common Name:

Derris trifoliata
Flowering plant, scrambling over other vegetation in Kerala,India
Photograph by: Vengolis
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Derris trifoliata Derris trifoliata Derris trifoliata Derris trifoliata Derris trifoliata Derris trifoliata Derris trifoliata Derris trifoliata

General Information

Derris trifoliata is an evergreen shrub, most commonly producing twining, climbing or creeping stems 3 - 15 metres or more long, though sometimes remaining as a smaller, erect plant[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
328
Title
African Flowering Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
,
1414
Title
The Genera Aganope, Derris, and Paraderris (Fabaceae, Millettieae) in Thailand
Publication
Systematic Botany (2012) 37(2) pp 404-436
Author
Sirichamorn Y.; Adema F.A.C.B.; & van Welzen P.C.
Publisher
 
Year
2012
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The stems can be up to 4cm in diameter[
713
Title
Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest.
].
The plant is used locally as a medicine, source of tannins and insecticide. It is occasionally cultivated for the rotenone that can be obtained from its root[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
].

Known Hazards

The plant contains rotenone and has been used traditionally as a fish poison[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
,
372
Title
Flowers of India
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.flowersofindia.net/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A wed site of native Indian plants, plus cultivated and naturalized species. It has good quality photos and terse details on more than 3,000 species and cultivars.
] - the rotenone kills or stuns the fish making them easy to catch, but the fish remain perfectly edible for mammals. Rotenone is classified by the World Health Organization as moderately hazardous. It is mildly toxic to humans and other mammals, but extremely toxic to many insects (hence its use as an insecticide) and aquatic life, including fish. This higher toxicity in fish and insects is because the lipophilic rotenone is easily taken up through the gills or trachea, but not as easily through the skin or the gastrointestinal tract. The lowest lethal dose for a child is 143 mg/kg, but human deaths from rotenone poisoning are rare because its irritating action causes vomiting. Deliberate ingestion of rotenone, however, can be fatal.
The compound decomposes when exposed to sunlight and usually has an activity of six days in the environment.

Botanical References

266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
1414
Title
The Genera Aganope, Derris, and Paraderris (Fabaceae, Millettieae) in Thailand
Publication
Systematic Botany (2012) 37(2) pp 404-436
Author
Sirichamorn Y.; Adema F.A.C.B.; & van Welzen P.C.
Publisher
 
Year
2012
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

East tropical Africa - Kenya to S. Africa, Madagascar; through tropical Asia to New Guinea, northern Australia and the western Pacific

Habitat

Mangrove swamps, brackish swamps, coastal primary and secondary forest, coastal bushland and thicket, particularly along rivers near their tidal limits or along the shore; at elevations up to 400 metres[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
,
328
Title
African Flowering Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
,
1414
Title
The Genera Aganope, Derris, and Paraderris (Fabaceae, Millettieae) in Thailand
Publication
Systematic Botany (2012) 37(2) pp 404-436
Author
Sirichamorn Y.; Adema F.A.C.B.; & van Welzen P.C.
Publisher
 
Year
2012
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Climber
Height10.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist, tropical lowlands, where it can be found at elevations up to 300 metres. It is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 1,300 - 3,000mm, and the temperature can range from 20 - 29°c[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. It grows best in areas with a well-distributed rainfall pattern[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
All species in this genus tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, from fertile loams to barren areas, though a well-drained soil is preferrable[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is used in local medicine in India as a stimulant, antispasmodic and counter-irritant, and against rheumatism, chronic paralysis and dysmenorrhoea[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. A decoction of the roots is used externally against fever and internally against sores[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

Thai traditional doctors use roots or stems as a laxative, carminative and anti-arthritis treatment[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

The outer bark is soaked in water or the liquid in a green coconut, then squeezed. The juice is drunk in order to prevent infection, especially by mothers after chilbirth and by people who have been in contact with dead bodies or the body fluids of sick people[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].

A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of malaria[
481
Title
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
2009
ISBN
978-92-9061-249-0
Description
Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants.
].

Other Uses

The stem fibres are used for making ropes and fish nets[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
].

The leaves contain the chemical compound rotenone (the active ingredient in the insecticide derris)[
372
Title
Flowers of India
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.flowersofindia.net/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A wed site of native Indian plants, plus cultivated and naturalized species. It has good quality photos and terse details on more than 3,000 species and cultivars.
]. Although this species is not a source of commercial derris dust, having only a weak insecticidal action, it has been used as an insecticide in South-East Asia[
713
Title
Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest.
].

The bark contains up to 9.5% tannin[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Derris%20trifoliata>

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