2916. Derris Root

Nomenclature

Tuba root; Deguelia root.

Description and references

The roots of plants belonging to the genus Derris, of which more than 80 species have been described. Derris elliptica (Wall.) Benth. and D. malaccensis Prain, Leguminosae are cultivated in British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. Toxicity data: Haag et al., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 54, 140 (1943).

Properties

LD50 orally in mice: 350 mg/kg (as the dry powdered root (Haag)).

Use

As insecticide; as a source of rotenone and rotenoid compds.