Derris trifoliata
Derris trifolia, commonly known as climbing Derris, is a versatile tropical legume valued for its medicinal and insecticidal properties. Rich in rotenone, this climbing plant has historically been used to treat skin conditions and manage parasites. It remains a significant botanical subject in traditional herbal medicine and natural pest control.
- Scientific name: Derris trifoliata
- 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, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Derris, specifically the species Derris trifoliata.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Derris | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Derris trifolia, is recognized by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is referred to as 鱼藤 (zh-hans), 魚藤 (zh-hant), and 魚藤 (zh-hk). In Vietnam, the species is commonly called Cóc kèn (vi), while in Thailand, it is known as ถอบแถบทะเล (th).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 鱼藤 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 魚藤 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 魚藤 | Wikidata |
| vi | Cóc kèn | Wikidata |
| th | ถอบแถบทะเล | Wikidata |
| ml | പൊന്നുംവള്ളി | Wikidata |
| zh | 鱼藤 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 三葉魚藤 | Wikidata |
| szy | sadim | Wikidata |
| ja | シイノキカズラ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical presence across several regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its range includes the country of Somalia. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, it can be found throughout both Kenya and Tanzania. The distribution extends further into South Tropical Africa, specifically within Mozambique. Finally, its presence reaches into the Southern African region, notably in KwaZulu-Natal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Derris trifolia, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties, primarily focusing on its foliage and overall structure. The leaves are a significant part of the plant, often containing the bioactive compounds necessary for therapeutic use. Furthermore, the aerial parts, which encompass all the structures above the ground including the stems and foliage, are frequently harvested to prepare traditional remedies.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Derris trifoliata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include dehydrodeguelin, dehydrorotenone, tephrosin.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| dehydrodeguelin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dehydrorotenone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tephrosin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |