Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a tropical root crop that is grown for its edible starchy tuber. It is also known as yucca, manioc, or tapioca and is a staple food in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa, South America, and Asia.
The Cassava plant is a perennial shrub that grows to a height of about 4-6 meters. It has large, green leaves that are glossy on the upper surface and hairy on the underside. The tubers, or roots, of the plant are long and cylindrical, and can grow up to 1 meter in length.
Cassava is propagated by planting stem cuttings, also known as stem cuttings, instead of seed. The cuttings should be about 30-40 cm long and planted in well-draining soil in a location that receives full sun exposure. The plants will take about 6-12 months to mature and produce tubers, depending on the variety and the growing conditions.
Cassava is a drought-tolerant crop and can be grown in a variety of soil types, but it prefers sandy, well-drained soils. It is also important to note that it is a poisonous plant, the leaves and the skin of the tubers contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glucosides, which must be removed before consumption.