Derris microphylla
Derris microphylla
Safety & Hazards
We have no specific information for this species, but many of the plants in this genus contain 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.
Botanical Description
Derris microphylla is a deciduous tree with a feathery crown growing 5 - 20 metres tall. The bole can be up to 25cm in diameter[ 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. , 1414 Title The Genera Aganope, Derris, and Paraderris (Fabaceae, Millettieae) in Thailand Publication Systematic Botany (2012) 37(2) pp 404-436 Author Sirichamorn Y.; Adema F.A.C.B.; & van Welzen P.C. Publisher Year 2012 ISBN Description ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is cultivated as a shade tree in plantations, and is also grown for green manure[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ]. Its abundant purple flowers make it a distinctive ornamental tree[ 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. ].