Definition

1. Noun:
   • A woody vine: A climbing plant with a hard, woody stem.
   • Botanical characteristics: It has bright green leaves and produces clusters (racemes) of white flowers with a pinkish tint.
   • Source of rotenone: The plant's enlarged or swollen roots contain rotenone, a natural substance used as an insecticide and fish poison.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Derris elliptica is cultivated in some regions for its insecticidal properties.
  • The active compound in Derris elliptica is extracted from its roots.
  • Farmers have traditionally used preparations from Derris elliptica to protect crops.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical and agricultural contexts: The name is used precisely to refer to this specific plant species, often in scientific, horticultural, or agricultural writing.
  • The study compared the efficacy of rotenone derived from Derris elliptica with synthetic pesticides.

Variants and Related Words

• Derris: (Noun) The genus to which this plant belongs. Several species contain rotenone.
• Rotenone: (Noun) The chemical compound found in the roots of and other plants, used as a pesticide and piscicide (fish poison).
• Tuba root: A common name sometimes used for the roots of species, including .

Synonyms

• Tuba plant: A common name used in some regions.
• Fish-poison vine: A descriptive name referring to one of its traditional uses.

Related Phrases / Terms

• Derris root: Refers to the root of the plant, which is the part typically harvested.
  • The insecticide was made from powdered derris root.
• Rotenone-containing plant: A descriptive phrase categorizing by its chemical property.

Noun

1. woody vine having bright green leaves and racemes of rose-tinted white flowers; the swollen roots contain rotenone