Scientific Name
Manihot esculenta
Common Name
Cassava, manioc, tapioca

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Description
A bushy herb or shrub with elongated tubers; leaves alternate, simple, deeply lobed; flowers inconspicuous; fruit a 6-angled globose capsule.
Origin
Brazil.
Where Found
Plant not grown in North Carolina, imported, purchased in grocery stores, widely cultivated in the tropics for the tuberous roots.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Raw roots or peelings of the tubers (thickened roots).
Symptoms
Weak and irregular breathing, weakness, excitement, depression, staggering, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma of short duration.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Tubers boiled and eaten or made into tapioca.
Toxic Principle
Cyanogenic glycosides linamarin and lotaustralin.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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