Manihot Esculenta Crantz. A shrubby perennial 1-5 m tall, propagated easily by stem cuttings. Branching usually occurs near the apex of the main stem. Leaf scars are conspicuous.
Leaves are alternate, palmately-lobed on long petioles.
Latex tubes occur in all parts of the plant exuding a sticky, milky fluid on injury. The latex in younger plant parts is a clear, watery juice. The root tubers contain a glycoside that yields highly poisonous hydrocyanic acid and this is responsible for their bitter taste. The quantity and distribution of this acid divides the cassava into two main racial groups - bitter and sweet. The latter is relatively free from poisonous properties.