Deguelia utilis
Deguelia utilis
Safety & Hazards
The plant contains rotenone and has been used traditionally as a fish poison[1] - the rotenone kills or stuns the fish making them easy to catch, but the fish remain perfectly edible for mammals. 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 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.
Cultivation Details
A plant of the moist, lowland tropics, usually in areas with year-round rainfall. Succeeds in moderate sun to fairly deep shade so long as the top growth can climb towards the light. Prefers a neutral to acid soil, usually found on more or less clay soils in the wild[1]. In some areas where it grows it is subject to periodic inundation of the soil[1]. Found in the wild on neutral to strongly acid soils[2]. Some forms of this plant do not produce seed, probably as a result of long term cultivation with propagation by cuttings[1]. 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[].
Propagation
Seed - Cuttings root easily[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Deguelia+utilis>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]The identity of TIMBÓ-TRUE: Deguelia utilis (A.C.Sm.) A.M.G. AZEVEDO (Leguminosae - Papilionoideae) — Azevedo-Tozzi, A. M. G. · Revista Brasileira de Biologia · 1998 · ISBN 0034-7108 ↩︎A botanical paper detailing the correct identification of the species Deguelia utilis. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the internet.
- [2]A synopsis of the genus Deguelia (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Millettieae) in Brazil — Camargo R.A. & Azevedo Tozzi A.M.G. · 2013 · ISBN 1938-436X ↩︎
- [3]Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants — http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 ↩︎Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
- [4]Dictionary of Economic Plants. — Uphof. J. C. Th. · Weinheim · 1959 · ISBN - ↩︎An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.