Derris
| 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 | |
| |
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. The roots of D. elliptica contain rotenone, a strong insecticide and fish poison.
Despite the secondary compounds found in Derris, they serve as food plants for many Lepidopteran larvae including Batrachedra spp.