Derris | |
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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] | |
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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]