From Wikipedia - Reading time: 6 min
| Derris | |
|---|---|
| Derris scandens in Hyderabad | |
| Scientific 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] | |
| |
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.
65 species are currently accepted:[1]