SafePlants

Derris: The Natural Insecticide

Derris is a climbing leguminous plant native to Southeast Asia and the southwest Pacific islands, including New Guinea. It's historically known for its potent insecticidal properties, derived from the rotenone found in its roots.

Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Derris (specifically, Derris elliptica is mentioned)
• Common Name: Common Derris
• Family: Leguminosae (also referred to as Fabaceae - Papilionoideae)
• Kingdom: Angiosperms (Flowering plants)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Southeast Asia and the southwest Pacific islands, including New Guinea.
• Observed regrowth at Haiku, Maui, Hawaii. Also, habit at Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii.

Traditional and Modern Uses

• Historically used as a fish poison.
• Rotenone extracted from Derris root has been used as an organic insecticide. Brand names like Bio Liquid Derris Plus, Doff Derris Dust, and Vitax Derris Dust have been available for controlling pests like greenfly, blackfly, and sawfly.

Morphological Characteristics

• It's a climbing leguminous plant.
• It can grow as a woody vine or shrub.
• Lianas. Bark maroonish, lenticellate, glabrous. Twigs 3–5 mm diam., slightly strigose or glabrescent, lenticellate. Stipules triangular, ca. 1.5 by 0.7–1 mm, outside.

Ecological Role

• Fact sheets are available regarding its role in the habitat in Singapore.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Used to control insects like greenfly, blackfly, and sawfly.
• Demonstrates antibacterial (Escherichia coli, and Bacillus megaterium), antialgal (Chlorella fusca) properties.

Further Information

• Fact sheets are available regarding its use as an insecticide.