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Cassava
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Manihot
Species: M. esculenta
Binomial name
Manihot esculenta
Crantz[1]
Synonyms[1]
Cassava is classified as either sweet or bitter. Like other roots and tubers, both bitter and sweet
varieties of cassava contain antinutritional factors and toxins, with the bitter varieties containing
much larger amounts.[7] It must be properly prepared before consumption, as improper
preparation of cassava can leave enough residual cyanide to cause acute cyanide intoxication,[8][9]
goiters, and even ataxia, partial paralysis, or death. The more toxic varieties of cassava are a fall-
back resource (a "food security crop") in times of famine or food insecurity in some places.[8][7]
Farmers often prefer the bitter varieties because they deter pests, animals, and thieves.