Common Name:

General Information

Derris ferruginea is an evergreen, climbing shrub, supporting itself by twining around other plants. The woody stems are around 10 - 15cm in diameter at their base[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its roots, which containe rotenone and can be used as an insecticide. It is cultivated for this purpose in the eastern Himalayas[], though its overall yield of rotenone is lower than from Paraderris elliptica[]..

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

E, Asia - southern China, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Sparse forests and thickets, low elevation mountain slopes; at elevations from 500 - 1,200 metres[]. Open areas along streams, forest margins and on hill slopes with granite bedrock; at elevations from 450 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Derris species generally grow best in tropical 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

None known

Other Uses

The roots contain rotenone and can be used as an insecticide[, ]. The rotenone content varies from 0.1 - 4.3%[]. Rotenone is widely used as an insecticide, and is effective against a range of horticultural pests, such as aphids and caterpillars, and also against external body parasites like ticks, lice, fleas and flies. It is reported to be ineffective against bedbugs, cockroaches, scale insects and red spiders.[, , ]. The rotenone can be found in various parts of the plant, but is generally most abundant in the bark, especially of the roots. The bark can be dried and powdered for use as an insecticidal dust[].

Propagation

Seed -

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