Derris

This article is about the genus of plants. For the insecticide derived from them, traded under the name Derris, see Rotenone.

Derris
Derris scandens in Hyderabad
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Millettieae
Genus: Derris
Lour. (1790), nom. cons.
Species

65; see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Cylizoma Neck. (1790), opus utique oppr.
  • Nothoderris Blume ex Miq. (1855), not validly publ.
  • Paraderris (Miq.) R.Geesink (1984)
  • Pterocarpus Kuntze (1891), nom. illeg.
  • Salken Adans. (1763), nom. rej.

Derris is genus of leguminous plants. It contains 65 species, which range from eastern Africa to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, northern Australia, and the southwest Pacific islands.[1] The roots of D. elliptica contain rotenone, a strong insecticide[2] and fish poison.

Despite the secondary compounds found in Derris, they serve as food plants for many Lepidopteran larvae [3] including Batrachedra spp.

  1. ^ a b Derris Lour. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  2. ^ Fryer, J.C.F; et al. (February 1923). "A Quantitative Study Of The Insecticidal Properties Of Derris Elliptica (Tuba Root)". Annals of Applied Biology. 10 (1). Warwick, England: Association of Applied Biologists: 18–34. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.1923.tb05651.x.
  3. ^ Morse, Clinton. "Derris elliptica {Fabaceae}". florawww.eeb.uconn.edu. Retrieved 2016-08-21.