Common Name:

General Information

Tephrosia sinapou is an erect perennial plant, often with herbaceous stems though they can become more or less woody and persist; the plant can grow up to 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is cultivated by various Guyana Amerindians as a fish poison and has potential for use as an insecticide[, ].

Known Hazards

The juice of the root and stems is used a fish poison (ichthyotoxic)[].
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

S. America - Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, through central America to central Mexico; Caribbean - Dominican Republic

Habitat

Dry, open woods and pine forests, sunny slopes; at elevations up to 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

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 root is used in the treatment of cancer[]

A decoction of leafy branches is drunk to treat snakebite and is also used as an antisyphilitic[].
The leaves are crushed and appplied as a hair-wash to rid the hair of lice[].

A decoction of the plant (part not specified) is used to remedy blennorrhagia[].

A decoction of the stems is used as a digitalis substitute for treating heart palpitations[].

Other Uses

The plant, especially the root, contains tephrosine, a rotenone-like compound with insecticidal, pesticidal and piscicidal activities[]. 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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