Common Name:

General Information

Millettia zechiana is a shrub or a tree that can grow 4 - 9 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is often grown as a hedge in Africa.
Millettia zechiana has a wide geographical distribution. This taxon is also considered to be common within its range. The species does not meet any threatened criteria and is known through specimen data to occur within the protected areas network. Despite general threats in the region it is not thought to be specifically threatened or in decline. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

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 to the Cameroons

Habitat

Sometimes found in primary forest, but more commonly in secondary formations, also in areas of regrowth, scrub and savannah; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, 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 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

Wild plants used in folk medicine[]

The bark and leaves are used as pain killers and to treat naso-pharyngeal affections[].

The plant (prt not specified) is used to treat pulmonary troubles and problems connected with the menstrual cycle[]

The plant is known to contain glycosides, saponims, steroids[]

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is often planted as a hedge in Africa[, ].

Other Uses

None known

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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