three-leaf derris

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• three-leaf derris
• Common Derris
• threeleaf derris

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tephrosia uliginosa
• Pterocarpus uliginosus
• Pongamia uliginosa
• Sweetia uliginosa
• Derris heterophylla
• Derris uliginosa
• Galedupa uliginosa
• Deguelia floribunda
• Pterocarpus multiflorus
• Dalbergia radicans
• Dalbergia repens
• Dalbergia acuminata
• Brachypterum floribundum
• Pongamia triphylla
• Robinia uliginosa
• Derris multiflora
• Derris forsteniana
• Derris affinis
• Derris trifoliata var. macrocarpa
• Deguelia trifoliata
• Deguelia uliginosa
• Deguelia multiflora
• Dalbergia heterophylla
• Pterocarpus trifoliatus
• Pterocarpus forstenianus
• Pongamia piscatoria
• Pongamia religiosa

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, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Derris, specifically the species Derris trifoliata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Derris trifolia is characterized by its preference for low-lying coastal environments, thriving primarily within beach forests and coastal deciduous forests. This species is strictly limited to low elevations, occupying a narrow altitudinal niche that ranges from 0 m to a maximum of 50 m above mean sea level (AMSL). By occupying these specific maritime and near-shore habitats, the plant adapts to the unique environmental conditions found at the interface of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

50 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

beach forest, coastal deciduous forest

Life history

The life history of Derris trifoliata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, typically utilizing its climbing or woody growth habit to access light. It exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle, a phanerophyte life form, and an evergreen nature enables the plant to maintain a consistent presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Derris trifolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support. This plant exhibits a diverse growth habit, categorized under both tree and other growth forms, and maintains an independent lifestyle as it is not a parasite. In terms of its stature, it is a significant climber with a height that can range from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 15 m, with an average height reaching approximately 10 m. Although it thrives in terrestrial environments, it is distinguished from epiphytic species by its terrestrial nature, lacking any holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphytic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

other

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Derris trifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant does not exhibit any form of succulence, maintaining standard leaf and stem water retention strategies rather than storing significant amounts of water in fleshy tissues. Furthermore, Derris trifolia is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess the specialized symbiotic mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms within its tissues.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Derris trifolia is characterized by specific dispersal mechanisms that facilitate the spread of its progeny within its natural environment. The plant exhibits a primary dispersal syndrome that is classified as hydrochorous, meaning its seeds or propagules are adapted for transport via water currents. This reproductive strategy is complemented by a complex array of potential dispersal modes, including anemochorous (wind), zoochorous (animals), autochorous (self-dispersal), and unspecialized methods. Within its ecological interactions, the dispersal syndrome further encompasses various specialized pathways such as anthropochorous (human-mediated), endozoochorous (internal animal transport), epizoochorous (external animal transport), and myrmecochorous (ant-mediated) processes, reinforcing the plant's ability to colonize new habitats through diverse environmental vectors.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Derris trifoliata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural medicines

Chemicals

Derris trifoliata has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Dehydrodeguelin, Dehydrorotenone, Tephrosin.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Dehydrodeguelin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Dehydrorotenone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Tephrosin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Derris trifoliata has 12 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant, Antiflu, Antiinflammatory.

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Hypolipemic

1. Dr. Duke