Family: Papilionaceae
Common Name: Jewel Vine, Flame Tree

Native to Southeast Asia and northern Queensland, some of these woody climbers and trees are cultivated, mainly in Malaysia and Indonesia, for the production of rotenone (derris), a low-toxicity insecticide safe for humans and animals, though fish are affected by it. In fact, the Australian Aborigines have long used the roots of some Derris species for poisoning fish.

Species

D. elliptica, derris or tuba root, from Malaysia and Indonesia, is the main source of commercial rotenone. It is a large climber, with divided leaflets, brownish and silky on the undersides, and white, flushed with pink-lilac, pea-shaped flowers.

D. microphylla, native to Malaysia and India, is a tree, to 5 m (16 ft) or more, with sprays of pea-shaped flowers coloured red through to purple. The leaflets are whitish underneath.

D. robusta, from India and Ceylon, is a tree, to 12 m (40 ft), with gray­ish foliage and sprays of white flowers.

D. scandens, Malay jewel vine, is found in both tropi­cal Asia and Queensland. This climber produces abundant sprays of rose pink flowers.

Cultivation

Grown in a warm greenhouse in frost-prone climates, but not often cultivated in the UK.

Climate

Zone 10.