derris

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• derris
• tubaroot

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Millettia elliptica
• Nothoderris elliptica
• Paraderris elliptica var. chittagongensis
• Paraderris elliptica
• Galedupa elliptica
• Dalbergia glaucescens
• Pongamia volubilis var. glaucophylla
• Pongamia horsfieldii
• Pongamia hypoleuca
• Pongamia grandiflora
• Nothoderris glaucescens
• Pterocarpus ellipticus
• Pongamia elliptica
• Pongamia volubilis
• Nothoderris purpurea
• Deguelia elliptica
• Derris elliptica var. chittagongensis
• Derris elliptica var. glaucophylla
• Derris elliptica var. tonkinensis
• Dalbergia elliptica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is specifically situated in the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Derris, with the species name being Derris elliptica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several distinct regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the DR Congo. Its distribution in China is extensive, covering the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Furthermore, it can be found in Eastern Asia, specifically within the Ogasawara-shoto islands. These varied locations highlight the wide ecological adaptability of the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Derris ellipta is characterized by its long-term survival strategy as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that facilitates its growth habit. This phanerophyte classification is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring that its primary biomass and reproductive potential are maintained through elevated, persistent stem structures.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Derris elliptica is characterized by its growth as a liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that reaches an average height of approximately 16 m. Although categorized under broader growth forms such as shrubs or other non-standard types, it is specifically a climbing plant that exists in a terrestrial habitat rather than an aquatic or epiphytic environment. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and its woodiness is classified as variable.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

other

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

16 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Derris elliptica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is the standard carbon fixation mechanism for most woody legumes, utilizing the enzyme Rubisco to incorporate carbon dioxide directly into the Calvin cycle. Regarding its water management and morphological adaptations, the species does not exhibit succulence, meaning it lacks specialized parenchymatous tissues for significant water storage within its leaves or stems. Furthermore, despite belonging to the Fabaceae family, this specific plant is not categorized as a nitrogen fixer in the context of its primary physiological profile, as it does not engage in the symbiotic nitrogen fixation processes typically associated with certain other members of its lineage.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Derris elliptica is characterized by a complex series of mechanisms for seed dispersal and propagation. The plant utilizes several distinct dispersal syndromes to ensure its survival across different environments. The primary modes of movement for its seeds include being anemochorous, where wind plays a role in transport, and hydrochorous, allowing for dispersal via water currents. Additionally, the species exhibits zoochorous tendencies, specifically through endozoochory, where seeds are passed through the digestive tracts of animals, and epizoochory, where seeds adhere to the exterior of passing fauna. The dispersal strategy is further supplemented by autochory, involving self-dispersal mechanisms, and can be influenced by anthropogenic factors through anthropochory. While some dispersal may occur via myrmecochory through interaction with ants, the plant's overall reproductive success relies on these combined specialized and unspecialized methods to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Derris elliptica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Pharmacognosy magazine
2. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Root

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Chemicals

Derris elliptica has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, rotenone.

quercetin

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

rotenone

1. Journal of chromatography. A

Activities

Derris elliptica has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Medicinal Uses

Derris elliptica has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, fever, headache, influenza, menorrhagia.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations