Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Derris elliptica, commonly known as tubaroot, is a woody liana or scrambling shrub native to Southeast Asia. It climbs over trees and shrubs using long, flexible stems and produces compound leaves and clusters of pink to purplish flowers typical of the pea family. The roots are rich in rotenone, a naturally occurring compound historically used as an insecticide and for fish-stunning. Because of this, the plant has been cultivated in tropical regions around the world for botanical pesticide production rather than for ornamental purposes.

Risks & Threats
Tubaroot is naturalized on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island and is potentially naturalizing on Kauaʻi. As a vigorous climbing vine, it can smother vegetation, overtop native shrubs and trees, and form dense growth that alters light availability and forest structure. Its ability to spread and its production of toxic compounds raise concerns for sensitive tropical island ecosystems. This species possesses traits that are cause for concern and could detrimentally impact Hawaiʻi’s native biodiversity. To help protect our islands, it is recommended to choose a low-risk or native alternative instead of planting tubaroot.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Hawaii, possibly Maui (Hawaiian Islands) and elsewhere
  
• Aggressive, weedy liana with potential negative impacts on agriculture and the natural environment
  
• Other Derris species are invasive
  
• Toxic to animals and people
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Smothers other vegetation
  
• Reproduces by seeds (rarely, if ever, in the Hawaiian Islands) and vegetatively
  
• Reaches maturity in 18 months
  
• Seeds, if produced, dispersed by water; intentionally cultivated by people

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Requires full sun (may limit spread into forest ecosystems)
  
• Seed set in cultivation rare or absent
  
• Self-Incompatible
  
• Lack of seed production in the Hawaiian Islands limits risk of accidental or long-distance dispersal