Common Name:

General Information

Millettia grandis is an evergreen or deciduous shrub or small tree. When grown in good soil it has a spreading crown and can exceptionally reach a height of up to 25 metres, but is more commonly around 6 - 13 metres tall and, when growing in adverse conditions is usually a shrub or stunted and gnarled tree 2 - 6 metres tall[, , ].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild as a source of medicines and wood for local use. It is planted as an ornamental, shade and wayside tree[]. It makes an attractive garden and street tree and it does not have an aggressive root system[].

Known Hazards

The roots have been used as fish and arrow poison[].
The seeds are poisonous[].
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

Southern Africa - S. Africa, Mozambique.

Habitat

Coastal forest, open dry forest, secondary forest on orange sand at elevations from sea level to 150 metres[]. Grows at elevations up to 600 metres[]. It can also be found as a pioneer along forest margins[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are tolerant of light frosts[].
Grows best in deep soils where ample water is available[]. It often occurs on sandy soils in the wild, but also on shale, where trees are often gnarled[].
Young trees grow fairly fast, increases of 80 - 100cm per year are possible under favourable conditions[].
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 powdered seed is taken as an anthelmintic[]. It is soaked in milk and used as a remedy for roundworm[]. Caution is advised since too many seeds are poisonous[].

The ground roots serve as a tranquilizer and to induce sleep[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is found in the wild as a pioneer species along forest margins[].
It can also be used as a windbreak along pastures[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark brown and distinctly demarcated from the yellowish sapwood[]. The wood is very heavy and hard, very durable, resistant to insect attack, straight-grained and fine-textured[]. The wood has an oily surface[]. Considerable power is required in sawing and planing, but a good polish can be obtained. The wood is easy to split, it holds nails and screws well, but pre-boring is needed. It is [].
The wood is locally important for building poles, durable furniture, carving and implements such as walking sticks. It is suitable for heavy construction, heavy flooring, joinery, mine props, shipbuilding, vehicle bodies, furniture, cabinet work, implements, sporting goods, musical instruments, toys, novelties and turnery[].
It is valued as firewood[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Pre-soaking the seed in hot water for one night prior to sowing improves germination[]. Young trees transplant well[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is greater, 5 or 9?