Paraderris montana
Paraderris montana
Safety & Hazards
The plant contains rotenone and has been used traditionally as a fish poison - 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 tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,580 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 30°c, but can tolerate 20 - 34°c[1]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,800 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,500 - 2,500mm[1]. Succeeds in full sun and in light shade[1]. Succeeds in a wide range of moist but well-drained soils of low to medium fertility[1, 2]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8.5[1]. Toxicity of the root is usually highest 19 - 27 months after planting and at this state the roots are harvested[1]. In some areas 15 months of growth is sufficient[1]. Plants do not produce seed in the first 30 months after planting[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[3].
Propagation
Seed - Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Paraderris+montana>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Ecocrop — http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home ↩︎Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
- [2]The Genera Aganope, Derris, and Paraderris (Fabaceae, Millettieae) in Thailand — Sirichamorn Y.; Adema F.A.C.B.; & van Welzen P.C. · 2012 ↩︎
- [3]The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation — Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. · University of Wisconsin · 1981 · ISBN 0-333-32221-5 ↩︎An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
- [4]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
- [5]World Agroforesty Centre — http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ ↩︎An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.