Derris  

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Global Distribution

Indo-Malesia

Indian distribution

State - Kerala, District/s: All Districts

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Perennial, Vines, twining, climbing, Woody throughout, Nodules present, Stems or branches arching, spr eading or decumbent, Stems greater than 2 m tall, Stems solid, Stems or young twigs glabrous or sparsely glabrate, Leaves alternate, Leaves petiolate, Stipules inconspicuous, absent, or caducous, Leaves compound, Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, Leaves odd pinnate, Leaf or leaflet margins entire, Leaflets opposite, Leaflets 5-9, Leaves glabrous or nearly so, Inflorescences racemes, Inflorescence panicles, Inflorescence axillary, Bracts very small, absent or caducous, Bracteoles present, Flowers zygomorphic, Calyx 5-lobed, Calyx glabrous, Petals separate, Corolla papilionaceous, Petals clawed, Petals white, Petals pinkish to rose, Banner petal ovoid or obovate, Banner petal suborbicular, broadly rounded, Banner petal auriculate, Wing petals narrow, oblanceolate to oblong, Stamens 9-10, Stamens monadelphous, united below, Filaments glabrous, Style terete, Fruit a legume, Fruit unilocular, Fruit indehiscent, Fruit oblong or ellipsoidal, Fruits winged, carinate, or samaroid, Fruit exserted from calyx, Fruit inflated or turgid, Fruit glabrous or glabrate, Fruit 1-seeded, Fruit 2-seeded, Seeds ovoid to rounded in outline, Seeds reniform, Seed surface smooth, Seeds olive, brown, or black.

Inhabits moderate to fast flowing waters of rivers with high velocity. Feeds on aquatic plants, algae, and fruits. Juveniles are partial to aquatic insects (Ref. 7335).

Atlantic slope of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.