Tephrosia Pers.
(Wood, 1949)
Three hundred and
fifty to 400 species, nearly worldwide, most diverse in tropical and
warm-temperate regions.
Many of the species of Tephrosia produce
rotenone and related compounds in their roots and rhizomes, and have been used
as fish poisons, insecticides, and herbal medicines in various parts of the
world. A number of tropical species are planted for green manure and as cover
and forage crops, and a few species are grown for their ornamental value.