Common Name:

General Information

Derris microphylla is a deciduous tree with a feathery crown growing 5 - 20 metres tall. The bole can be up to 25cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is cultivated as a shade tree in plantations, and is also grown for green manure[]. Its abundant purple flowers make it a distinctive ornamental tree[].

Known Hazards

We have no specific information for this species, but many of the plants in this genus contain rotenone and has been used traditionally as a fish poison - 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

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia.

Habitat

Locally common in secondary forest especially old ladangs in Upper Dipterocarp forest[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low to moderate elevations in tropical areas being found at elevations of 200 - 1,200 metres[]. It grows best in areas with a well-distributed rainfall pattern[].
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[]. Grows well on poor soils[]. Plants are very wind tolerant[].
Vetch tree is slow growing and requires little maintenance. It tolerates pruning and pollarding[].
Spacing recommended when planting for firewood and timber is 3 m x 3 m, with gradual thinning out to a final spacing after 10 years of 10 m x 10 m.
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A poultice of roots or bark is used to treat itch in Malaysia[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is grown as shade tree in tea, coffee and cocoa plantations, especially on poor soils[, ]. It is also used for green manuring and is very useful for these purposes because of its good regeneration capacity, rapid growth and flexible stems (which are resistant against storms)[].
Because it establishes well on poor soils it can be used in soil reclamation schemes[].
The tree has a shallow root system that protects soils against erosion.

Other Uses

The wood is used as building material[].
The tree is a source of firewood[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings

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