Common Name:

General Information

Tephrosia florida is a prostrate to erect, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a woody taprot; it can produce stems up to 60cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. The plant contains compounds with insecticidal properties[, ].

Known Hazards

The plant contains rotenonoids and has been used traditionally as a fish poison - rotenoids kill or stun the fish making them easy to catch, but the fish remain perfectly edible for mammals. Rotenonoids are classified by the World Health Organization as moderately hazardous. They are mildly toxic to humans and other mammals, but extremely toxic to many insects (hence their use as an insecticide) and aquatic life, including fish. This higher toxicity in fish and insects is because the lipophilic rotenonoid 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.

Botanical References

Range

Southeast N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Louisiana

Habitat

Well-drained, usually open, light, sandy, acid soils in pine and oak woods and barrens on the Coastal Plain[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the beaten roots is applied topically to sores[].
An infusion of the roots is applied to snake bites[].

Other Uses

Many species in this genus contain rotenone-like compounds in their roots and aerial parts. Rotenone is an isoflavone that has strong insecticidal, pesticidal and piscicidal activities, but is of relatively low toxicity to humans.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in a greenhouse in spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting out in the following spring or early summer.