Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Derris elliptica
Species of plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Derris eliptica is a species of leguminous plant from Southeast Asia and the southwest Pacific islands, including New Guinea. The roots of D. elliptica contain rotenone, a strong insecticide and fish poison.
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Indonesian. (December 2022) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Also known as derris powder and tuba root (in Indonesia),[2] it was formerly used as an organic insecticide used to control pests on crops such as peas. However, due to studies[which?] revealing the extreme toxicity of rotenone to which the powder is often refined, it is unsafe: in spite of its popularity with organic growers.[3][better source needed]
Derris root, when crushed, releases rotenone. Some native residents of Fiji and New Guinea practice a form of fishing in which they crush the roots and throw them into the water.[4] The stunned or killed fish float to the surface where they can be easily reached.[5]
Despite its toxicity, Derris is used as a food plant by Lepidopteran larvae[6] including Batrachedra amydraula.
Remove ads
Subspecies
The following subspecies are listed:[7]
- Derris elliptica chittagongensis
- Derris elliptica elliptica
- Derris elliptica malacensis
- Derris elliptica tonkinensis
See also
- "Derris" insecticides based on rotenone
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads