Threeleaf Derris
Constituents
Range: East tropical Africa - Kenya to S. Africa, Madagascar; through tropical Asia to New Guinea, northern Australia and the western Pacific
The plant is used locally as a medicine, source of tannins and insecticide. It is occasionally cultivated for the rotenone that can be obtained from its root. The rotenoid 6aα,12aα-12a-hydroxyelliptone can be found in the stems of D. trifoliata.
Rotenone is classified by the World Health Organization as moderately hazardous. It is mildly toxic to humans and other mammals, but extremely toxic to many insects (hence its use as an insecticide) and aquatic life, including fish. This higher toxicity in fish and insects is because the lipophilic rotenone is easily taken up through the gills or trachea, but not as easily through the skin or the gastrointestinal tract. The lowest lethal dose for a child is 143 mg/kg, but human deaths from rotenone poisoning are rare because its irritating action causes vomiting. Deliberate ingestion of rotenone, however, can be fatal.
The compound decomposes when exposed to sunlight and usually has an activity of six days in the environment.
The larvae of Hasora hurama feed on D. trifoliata.