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Useful Tropical Plants

Callerya eriantha

(Benth.) A.Schott

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Adinobotrys erianthus (Benth.) Dunn

Millettia eriantha Benth.

Padbruggia eriantha (Benth.) Craib

Phaseolodes erianthum (Benth.) Kuntze

Whitfordiodendron erianthum (Benth.) Merr.

Common Name:

Callerya eriantha
Ripening seedpod. It might be from a very similar species.
Photograph by: loupok
Creative Commons License
Callerya eriantha Callerya eriantha

General Information

Callerya eriantha is a climbing shrub producing woody stems that clamber into other plants for support. The plant can grow 12 - 25 metres tall with stems around 8cm in diameter[
1532
Title
A Revision of Callerya Endl. (including Padbruggea and Whitfordiodendron) (Papilionaceae; Millettieae)
Publication
Blumea 39 (1994) 1-40
Author
Schot A.M.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use.

Known Hazards

Millettia and related 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[
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.
].

Botanical References

616
Title
The Flora of the Malay Peninsula
Publication
 
Author
Ridley H.N.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
L. Reeve & Co. Ltd.; London.
Year
1922
ISBN
 
Description
An early flora of the Malay Peninsula.
,
1532
Title
A Revision of Callerya Endl. (including Padbruggea and Whitfordiodendron) (Papilionaceae; Millettieae)
Publication
Blumea 39 (1994) 1-40
Author
Schot A.M.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Lowland forests[
334
Title
Flora of Peninsula Malaysia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tfbc.frim.gov.my
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
In the process of being assembled (15/07/09), it is currently a series of check sheets giving species name, brief description, habitat and high quality photos of the plants.
,
616
Title
The Flora of the Malay Peninsula
Publication
 
Author
Ridley H.N.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
L. Reeve & Co. Ltd.; London.
Year
1922
ISBN
 
Description
An early flora of the Malay Peninsula.
]. Mixed Dipterocarp rainforest or wooded cliffs; at elevations up to 600 metres[
1532
Title
A Revision of Callerya Endl. (including Padbruggea and Whitfordiodendron) (Papilionaceae; Millettieae)
Publication
Blumea 39 (1994) 1-40
Author
Schot A.M.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
HabitClimber
Height18.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


The plant is often found in the wild on yellow sandy soils[
1532
Title
A Revision of Callerya Endl. (including Padbruggea and Whitfordiodendron) (Papilionaceae; Millettieae)
Publication
Blumea 39 (1994) 1-40
Author
Schot A.M.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - cooked[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. Eaten as a vegetable[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. Very acid[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
Seeds - cooked[
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.
]. Boiled and eaten as a vegetable[
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.
].
The above reports probably all refer to the same thing. Whether it is the seeds themselves, or the seedpods with the seeds, I am not certain[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
The ovate to obovate, inflated seedpods are around 6 - 9cm long x 4 - 5cm wide, with a velvety hairy exterior[
1532
Title
A Revision of Callerya Endl. (including Padbruggea and Whitfordiodendron) (Papilionaceae; Millettieae)
Publication
Blumea 39 (1994) 1-40
Author
Schot A.M.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. They contain one, rarely two seeds fused together, each around 45mm x 35mm x 20mm thick[
1532
Title
A Revision of Callerya Endl. (including Padbruggea and Whitfordiodendron) (Papilionaceae; Millettieae)
Publication
Blumea 39 (1994) 1-40
Author
Schot A.M.
Publisher
 
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a container in a lightly shaded position. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Layering in spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with the leaves removed[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Callerya+eriantha>

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