Common Name:

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[, , ]. The stems can be up to 4cm in diameter[].
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[].

Known Hazards

The plant contains 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

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[, , ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, 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[]. 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[].
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

The root is used in local medicine in India as a stimulant, antispasmodic and counter-irritant, and against rheumatism, chronic paralysis and dysmenorrhoea[, ]. A decoction of the roots is used externally against fever and internally against sores[].

Thai traditional doctors use roots or stems as a laxative, carminative and anti-arthritis treatment[].

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[].

A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of malaria[].

Other Uses

The stem fibres are used for making ropes and fish nets[].

The leaves contain the chemical compound rotenone (the active ingredient in the insecticide derris)[]. 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[].

The bark contains up to 9.5% tannin[].

Propagation

Seed -

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