& Moritzi Derris eliptica is a species of leguminous plant from Southeast Asia and the southwest Pacific islands, including New Guinea.

Also known as derris powder and tuba root (in Indonesia),[2] it was formerly used as an organic insecticide used to control pests on crops such as peas.

revealing the extreme toxicity of rotenone to which the powder is often refined, it is unsafe: in spite of its popularity with organic growers.

Some native residents of Fiji and New Guinea practice a form of fishing in which they crush the roots and throw them into the water.

[5] Despite its toxicity, Derris is used as a food plant by Lepidopteran larvae[6] including Batrachedra amydraula.