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Derris amoena Benth.

Family Name:	Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Synonyms:	Derris maingayana Baker, Derris amoena var. maingayana (Baker) Prain

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Ornamental Flowers

Climber

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Climber
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition

Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Sumatra, Borneo
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground, Riverine, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Primary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Woody climber.
Foliage	Compound leaf is composed of 5 – 9 leaflets where terminal leaflet is elliptic to obovate (6 – 9 cm x 3 – 4.5 cm). Leaf texture is somewhat leathery with both sides either hairless or covered in short, stiff hairs. Young leaves are reddish.
Flowers	Purple flowers are arranged in clusters known as pseudoracemes or pseudopanicles. The inflorescence stalk is attached above the point of leaf attachment along the stem.

Fruit

Fruit is a flat, winged pod which is hairless (4 – 9.5 x 1.5 – 2.6 cm). Flattened seeds are disc- or bean-shaped (9 – 12 x 7 – 11 x 1 – 4 mm).

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance	Well-Drained Soils

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Red

Foliar Type	Compound
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Obovate)
Foliar Venation	Reticulate, Pinnate / Net
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate
Foliar Base	Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area	Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Texture(s)	Smooth
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Pod

Seed Description

Seed is disk- or bean-shaped.

References

References	<1> E-Flora of Thailand. https://botany.dnp.go.th/eflora/floraSpecies.html?tdcode=07627. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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Master ID	33755
Species ID	8170
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 30 September 2025.