What is "tephrosia"

Tephrosia \Te*phro"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? ash-colored, from ? ashes.] (Bot.) A genus of leguminous shrubby plants and herbs, mostly found in tropical countries, a few herbaceous species being North American. The foliage is often ashy-pubescent, whence the name.

Note: The Tephrosia toxicaria is used in the West Indies and in Polynesia for stupefying fish. T. purpurea is used medicinally in the East Indies. T. Virginia is the goat's rue of the United States.

n. (context botany English) Any of the genus (taxlink Tephrosia genus noshow=1) of leguminous shrubby plants and herbs.

Tephrosia is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae. The generic name is derived from the 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.