Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

Family: Euphorbiaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Manihot esculenta is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet varieties contain little or no glucosides. — Young leaves - cooked as a vegetable.; Boiled like spinach, or added to stews.; The leaves need to be boiled for about 15 minutes in order to destroy harmful glucosides.; Some sweet varieties contain little or no glucosides.

Habitat & North American Range

Widely cultivated as a food crop, it is not known in a truly wild situation. (Zone 9)