Common Name:

General Information

Millettia ichthyochtona is a deciduous tree growing 5 - 15 metres tall[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is sometimes cultivated, especially in N. Vietnam, for local use as a fish poison[, ].

Known Hazards

The seeds are used as a fish poison[].
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

E. Asia - southern China, Vietnam.

Habitat

Sandy riverbanks at elevations from 100 - 800 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally grow best in a sunny position in a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil[]. This species is found in calcareous soils in the wild in Vietnam[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The stems or roots are soaked in water and applied topically to relieve itching[].

Other Uses

The plant contains isoflavones in the leaves, and rotenone in the seeds[]. These substances have potential for local use as a pesticide, though are probably not present in sufficient quantity for commercial exploitation[].
The powdered seeds are used as an insecticide in Vietnam[].

The seeds contain around 30 - 40% of a semi-drying oil[]. No uses are given.

The pale, nearly white wood is used for construction[].

Propagation

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[].

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