Manihot esculenta
MANIHOT ESCULENTA (Cassava)
Euphorbiaceae | Culinary
Euphorbiaceae
The Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants.
Native To:
Tropical America
Plant Status:
Secure
Plant Habit:
Woody Shrub
Plant Habitat:
Tropical and sub-tropical areas worldwide
Cultural Uses
Cassava makes up 30% of the world’s population of roots and tubers. The plant is about 3 meters tall and has dark green, “hand-shaped” leaves. The plant’s roots and leaves are toxic but can be processed into an edible form. Cassava is
used in a wide variety of foods in many different cultures including bread, beer, our, and tapioca. In South America, it is a valuable source of food and holds cultural importance. Some people believe that Cassava was the food planted by
the first woman to make bread for the first man.
Interesting Fact
There are over 5,000 known varieties of Cassava, each adapted to its own specific environmental conditions.