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| About the Plant |
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 Derris Indica is an important no edible oilseed tree that
grows in grow in a wide range of conditions including semiarid
regions. The leaves are a good source of green manure
and being leguminous, they enrich the soil with nitrogen. The
seeds contain around 30–40% of oil, which has been
identified as a source of bio-fuel and has medicinal value. |
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 Distribution and Habitat
The natural distribution of Derris indica is along coasts and river
banks in India and Myanmar. Native to the Asian subcontinent, this
species has been introduced to humid tropical lowlands in the
Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, the Seychelles, the United States and
Indonesia. It has also been naturalized in parts of eastern Africa,
northern Australia and Florida.
DI has a varied habitat distribution and can grow in a wide range of
conditions. Typically it is found in coastal areas, along limestone and rock coral outcrops,
along the edges of mangrove forests, tidal streams and rivers. It is hardy and can survive in
temperatures from 5 to 50 °C and altitudes from 0 to 1200 m. Due to its deep roots it also
has a tolerance for drought and is found in areas with rainfall from 200 to 2500 mm a year.
It grows well in both full sun and partial shade and can grow in most soil types. Mature
trees can withstand water logging and slight frost. |
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 BOTANY
GENERAL INFORMATION
Scientific name: Derris indica
(Syn. Pongamia pinnata; P. glabra)
Family: Leguminosae
USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 |
Origin: native to India
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
DESCRIPTION
Height: 35 to 40 feet
Spread: 30 to 40 feet
Botanical Features |
- Fast growing, medium sized evergreen tree .The trunk is generally short with thick
branches spreading into a dense hemispherical crown of dark green leaves.
- Height: 7—10 m, stem diameter: 50 - 80 cm
- Smooth grey-brown bark with vertical fissuring.
- leaves compound, pinnate and alternate
- Mature leaves glossy dark green above, pale below
- New leaves pinkish-red
- Inflorescence of axillary racemes, shorter than leaves, about 20 cm long.
- Flowers, borne on racemes, are pink, light purple, or white. Flowers one cm across,
zygomorphic, style incurved. Derris indica starts flowering from the 4th or 5th year
of planting. White and purplish flowers in axillary recemes appear in April to July.
- The taproot is thick and long; lateral roots are numerous and well developed.
- Out of the two ovules in the ovary, invariably only one will develop into seed. After
fertilization the early fertilized ovule supresses the subordinate one by the strong
sink activity. The abortion of embryo is due to manifestation of sibling rivalry.
- Pods are 3-6 cm long and 2-3 cm wide broad, pointed at both ends, yellowish grey
when ripe, 1 or 2 seeded.The pods ripen from February to May in the following year.
- Seeds are 10-20 cm long, oblong, and light brown in color.
Ecological
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 Ecological Requirements
Widely occurs and commonly planted species because of its wide
adaptability. It grows best in fairly moist situations on porous and well
drained soil; thriving even on pure sand and black cotton soil.
Derris indica grows almost anywhere, even on gravelly, sandy and
saline soils. It can thrive on the poorest stony soil. It can grow even in
the crevices of rocks.
Regarding climate, Derris indica is found in humid and subtropical environments and also
found in the tropics and arid zones and likes heat, although it does well even in lower
temperatures and can withstand a light frost. It is also a drought resistant plants water
requirement is extremely low |
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 Biophysical limits
Altitude: 0-1200 m, Mean annual temperature: 27 to 38 deg. C, Mean
annual rainfall: 200-2500 mm or more.
Derris indica can grow on most soil types ranging from stony to sandy
to clay, including Verticals. It does not do well on dry sands. It is
highly tolerant of salinity. It is common along waterways or seashores,
with its roots in fresh or salt water. Highest growth rates are observed on well drained soils
with assured moisture. Natural reproduction is profuse by seed and common by root
suckers. |
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