Manicoba
Manihot caerulescens
Family: Euphorbiaceae
What it is like
Manihot caerulescens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 3.5
Where it is found
Woodlands in sandstone soils.
S. America - northeast Brazil.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Brazil, India, South America
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
A latex obtained from the trunk is used to make 'Piauhy rubber'.
Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
How it is grown
A plant of the 'Caatinga' dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 - 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 - 26°c. Grows best in a sandy soil.
Propagating it: Seed
Best place to grow:
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Manicoba
Synonyms
Jatropha coerulea Steud. Manihot bahiensis Ule Manihot caerulea Steud. Manihot cearensis Pax & K.Hoffm. Manihot cuneata Ule Manihot discolor Ule Manihot ferruginea Ule Manihot grandiflora Müll.Arg. Manihot harmsiana Ule Manihot labroyana Ule Manihot lyrata Ule Manihot microdendron Ule Manihot piauhyensis Ule Manihot riedeliana Klotzsch ex Pax Manihot rotundata Ule Manihot speciosa Müll.Arg. Manihot toledii Labroy ex Ule Manihot trifoliata Ule