Manihot esculenta
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Photo: Bart Wursten
Nhancuco, lower slopes Mt Gorongosa
Photo: Bart Wursten
Nhancuco, lower slopes Mt Gorongosa
Photo: Bart Wursten
Nhancuco, lower slopes Mt Gorongosa
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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: |
Jathropha manihot L. Manihot dulcis (J.F. Gmel.) Pax Manihot utilissima Pohl |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | Occasionally naturalized |
| Status: | Introduced |
| Description: |
Shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall, cultivated for its edible root tubers which are widely used as a staple food source. Stems brittle, branching dichotomously, often blueish-grey when young; whitish watery sap present. Leaves up to 15 × 25 cm, deeply divided into 3-7 oblanceolate lobes, dark green above, paler blue-green beneath, almost hairless or slighly pubescent near the midrib; margin entire; petiole up to 25 cm long, often reddish-purple. Inflorescences in lax terminal heads, 2-11 cm long. Flowers unisexual in the same inflorescence, greenish tinged orange-red and often with purplish veining. Fruit ellipsoid to subglobose, up to 17 × 15 mm, greenish, finely wrinkled, six-winged. |
| Type location: |
South America |
| Notes: | Cultivated for its edible root tubers which are widely used as a staple food source. |
| Derivation of specific name: | esculenta: edible |
| Habitat: | |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Native probably in eastern South America; widely cultivated throughout tropical Africa and tropical regions elsewhere. |
| FZ divisions: | MS,M |
| Growth form(s): | Tree. |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Monday 4 June 2012 |
| Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 461. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 150. Parker, T. (2023). Common Trees of Mozambique The Tree Press, Austin, Texas, USA Pages 150 - 151. (Includes a picture). Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 49. Radcliffe-Smith, A. (1996). Euphorbiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(4) Pages 244 - 246. (Includes a picture). Shone, D.K. & Drummond, R.B. (1965). Poisonous Plants of Rhodesia Ministry of Agriculture, Rhodesia Page 11. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 208. |
Other sources of information about Manihot esculenta:
Our websites:
Flora of Caprivi: Manihot esculentaFlora of Mozambique: cultivated Manihot esculenta
Flora of Zambia: Manihot esculenta
Flora of Zimbabwe: Manihot esculenta
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Manihot esculenta
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Manihot esculentaAfrican Plant Database: Manihot esculenta
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Manihot esculenta
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Manihot esculenta
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Manihot esculenta
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Manihot esculenta
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Manihot esculenta
JSTOR Plant Science: Manihot esculenta
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Manihot esculenta
Plants of the World Online: Manihot esculenta
Tropicos: Manihot esculenta
Wikipedia: Manihot esculenta