Derris Root
Derris elliptica

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An evergreen vine. The stem is sturdy and climbing. It can be 5-12 m long. The older stems can be 3-4 cm thick. The young shoots can grow for several metres without producing leaves. The leaves are divided and have a silky surface underneath. There are 7-15 leaflets. These are oblong and 2-42 cm long by 2-8 cm wide. They are widest near the tip before tapering to a point. The flowers are bright red and pea shaped. They occur in clusters. The clusters are 11-26 cm long. They have rusty hairs. The fruit is an oblong pod 4-8 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide. There are 1-3 seeds inside.

The insecticide derris dust comes from this plant. The root is also pounded and used to stun fish. There are about 80 Derris species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It prefers humid well drained soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 70 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, East Timor, Fiji, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rotuma, SE Asia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The roots are poisonous. The leaves have been recorded as eaten in Thailand but this should be treated with caution. The bark is chewed with betel leaf.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed needs to be treated to break the hard seed coat before planting.

Its other names

Local names

Bakal bih, Co-rua, Etam chali, Hiru alu, Hon, Makoi sopa, Myin-gaung-nwe

Synonyms

Paraderris elliptica (Wallich) Adema;