Common Name:

General Information

Tephrosia retamoides is a perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody and persist; it usually grows to be around 60cm tall.[]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a broom.
Tephrosia retamoides is endemic to Madagascar, where it has only a small range, being found only in five different locations. It does not occur within protected areas and it experiences continuing decline due to habitat destruction caused by wood harvesting and annual wildfire. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

The root of this species is pulverised and used as a fish poison[].
The plant contains rotenonoids and has been used traditionally as a fish poison - rotenoids kill or stun the fish making them easy to catch, but the fish remain perfectly edible for mammals. Rotenonoids are classified by the World Health Organization as moderately hazardous. They are mildly toxic to humans and other mammals, but extremely toxic to many insects (hence their use as an insecticide) and aquatic life, including fish. This higher toxicity in fish and insects is because the lipophilic rotenonoid 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

Africa - Madagascar

Habitat

Subhumid and montane grasslands on lateritic soils; at elevations fom 1,500 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Stem tufts are used as brooms[].

The plant parts of many species in this genus contain rotenone-like compounds that have insecticidal properties[]. Rotenone is an isoflavone that has strong insecticidal, pesticidal and piscicidal activities, but is of relatively low toxicity to humans.

Propagation

Seed -

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