''Tephrosia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. It is widespread in both the Eastern and Western Hemisphere, where it is found in tropical and warm-temperate regions.
The generic name is derived from the Greek language, Greek word τεφρος (''tephros''), meaning "ash-colored," referring to the greyish tint given to the leaves by their dense trichomes. Hoarypea is a common name for plants in this genus, along with goat's rue and devil's shoestring.
Uses
Many species in the genus are poisonous, particularly to Piscicide, fish, for their high concentration of rotenone. The black seeds of ''Tephrosia'' species have historically been used by indigenous cultures as fish toxins.
[Hugh Scott, ''In the High Yemen'', London 1942, p. 238, note C.][NTFlora Northern Territory Flora online:]
''Flora of the Darwin Region: Fabaceae.''
Retrieved 10 June 2018 In the last century, several ''Tephrosia'' species have been studied in connection with the use of rotenone as an insecticide and pesticide.
''Tephrosia vogelii'' is also one of the many beneficial nitrogen-fixing legumes that can be used in a permaculture forest gardening system as a source of living 'chop and drop' mulch.
Selected species
Species include:
*''Tephrosia arenicola''
Maconochie
*''Tephrosia candida''
(Roxb.) DC.
*''Tephrosia chrysophylla''
Pursh
*''Tephrosia clementii''
Skan
*''Tephrosia elongata''
E.Mey.
*''Tephrosia glomeruliflora''
Meissner
*''Tephrosia mysteriosa''
DeLaney
*''Tephrosia odorata''
Balf.f.
*''Tephrosia onobrychoides''
Nutt.
*''Tephrosia pondoensis''
(Codd) Schrire
*''Tephrosia purpurea''
(L.) Pers.
*''Tephrosia socotrana''
Thulin
*''Tephrosia spinosa''
(L.f.) Pers.
*''Tephrosia virginiana''
*''Tephrosia vogelii''
Hook.f.
See also
* Helena M. L. Forbes
References
External links
*
* l
Plantilustrations.org: ''Tephrosia''.(Botanical illustrations for ''Tephrosia'' species.)
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*
{{Authority control
Tephrosia,
Fabaceae genera
Taxa named by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot