\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.