Derris elliptica
Derris ellipticica, commonly known as the Tonka bean, is a climbing legume native to tropical regions. Renowned for its fragrant seeds, it is widely used in perfumery and culinary arts. Historically, the plant has also been valued in traditional medicine for its potential insecticidal and therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Derris elliptica
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Derris | 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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Ogasawara-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
Chemicals
Derris elliptica has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Quercetin, rotenone.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rotenone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Derris elliptica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Derris elliptica has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, fever, headache, influenza, menorrhagia.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| influenza | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| menorrhagia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| toothache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |