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Manihot esculenta Crantz
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Jatropha manihot, Manihot aipi, Manihot manihot, Janipha manihot, Manihot utilissima |
| Common Name: | Tapioca, Ubi Kayu, Bitter Cassava, Manihot, Manioc, Mandioca, Gari, 木薯 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 4 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South America |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Semi-woody perennial shrub with large tuberous roots, able to grow up to about 2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Large tuberous roots |
| Foliage | Large dark green leaves measuring about 30 cm long, palmately divided into 5 - 9 lobes, alternate arrangement, petioles are red and measuring up to 60 cm long. Stipules present, can be entire or split. |
| Stems | Light brown to yellowish grey stems are round and brittle. Inner bark is cream-green. |
| Flowers | Inconspicuous flowers in a panicle inflorescence. |
| Fruits | Fruit is a globose capsule, smooth, has 6 longitudinal wings and contains 3 seeds. |
| Cultivation | This species is easy-to-grow and tolerant of most soil types including acidic and alkaline soils. Although it is drought tolerant, optimal growth occurs in moist, but well-drained sandy loam soils. It is resistant to most pests, because all parts of the plant body contain toxic hydrocyanoic glycosides. |
| Etymology | Genus Manihot is from the Tupi-Guarani name "manioca" which means cassava. Species esculenta means edible by humans. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts (Edible Leaves, Edible Roots) Food (Fruit & Vegetable : The storage roots are one of the most important food crops grown in the tropics. They are a rich source of carbohydrates (25 - 30% starch), but low in protein. The outer purple layer must be completely peeled away, because they contain toxic hydrocyanoic glycosides. The roots of bitter cultivars need to be boiled at least twice, changing the water in between. The water used to boil the roots should not be consumed. The roots of sweet cultivars contain less hydrocyanoic glycoside, but it is still present in the skin. Juice extracted from boiled roots is fermented into an alcoholic beverage known as Kasiri. Young leaves are edible after boiling and high in vitamins A and C.) Medicinal ( Native Americans use juice extracted from boiled roots as a treatment for burns. In Indochina, the starchy roots are used to dress ulcerous sores. In Indonesia, together with other plants, they are used to treat pains in the body. In Philippines, the bark is considered antirheumatic.) |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This species is grown for its ornamental foliage. The large, palmately compound leaves mounted on long petioles give the plant a graceful, elegant look. This species is attractive when planted in small groups. |
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| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Dry Soils / Drought |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Hardwood) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Underground |
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Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
References
| References | Extracted from Missouri Botanical Garden website (Accessed 17 Oct 2022) |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 916 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2210 |
| 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. |
