Common Name:

General Information

Millettia rhodantha is a tree growing from 9 - 15 metres tall. The bole is often sinuous and low-branched, it can be 30 - 60cm in diameter[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and as a source of wood. The plant is sold for medicinal use in local markets.

Known Hazards

Millettia species in general contain a range of toxic substances, especially isoflavones. Rotenone is probably the best known of these isoflavones and it is found especially in the seeds and roots of the plants. Rotenone is often used locally as a fish poison - the rotenone kills or stuns the fish making them easy to catch, but the fish remain perfectly safe for warm-blooded creatures to eat. 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 also to 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.
Millettia species often also contain other potentially toxic compounds, especially saponins and alkaloids[].

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana.

Habitat

Different types of lowland forest, including gallery forest and secondary formations; it can be common in places, or scattered; at elevations up to 500 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are tolerant of shade[]. Species in this genus generally grow best in a sunny position in a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil[].
Seedlings may be found in the shade, but regeneration is probably most abundant in small gaps in the forest[].
The flowers are sweetly scented[].
In some areas the plant produces seeds all year round[].
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 bark is chewed to treat coughs[].

A root decoction is taken against stomach-ache[].


An aromatic powder known as 'Caseco' (or Caseque) is obtained from the quite dry trunks of this species and also of
Millettia gracilis. It is applied in the form of a tonic ointment in the treatment of nervous and rheumatic headaches, nearly always mixed with the powder of Pemba stone. Sticks of the Caseco drug are invariably supplied in the markets of the coast and also in the interior. It is not used as sawdust, but is ground to a very fine powder by carefully grating the wood over a rough stone[].

Other Uses

The wood is yellowish, hard and aromatic[, ]. Dense, firm and durable, and has a pleasant aromatic odour[].
The flexible branches are used in hut building[].

Propagation

Seed - usually germinates within 2 weeks of sowing[].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
In experiments in Côte d’Ivoire, inoculation with Bradyrhizobium bacteria 1 month after sowing had a positive effect on plant height and stem diameter measured at 4 and 11 months after inoculation. At 11 months after inoculation, inoculated seedlings were 60cm tall, uninoculated ones only 30cm[].

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