Ceara rubbertree, Tree cassava
Manihot carthaginensis subsp. glaziovii

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10 m high. The stem is crooked and it has bushy branches. The bark is smooth and pale grey. The leaf stalks are 7-14 cm long. The leaf blades are 10-28 cm across. They are deeply divided with 3-5 lobes. They are dark green above and pale bluish-green underneath. The flowers are loosely arranged. The fruit are about 2 cm across. The seeds are about 1.5 cm long by 1 cm wide.

The sap is a source of rubber.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is best in a dry climate and with sandy soil. It can grow in poor soils. It can tolerate drought. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, East Africa, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Southern Africa, South America, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tuberous roots are eaten. They are also a source of starch. The oily seeds are eaten. The leaves are eaten as a cooked green vegetable. Caution: The leaves can contain hydrogen cyanide but this is removed with cooking.

The roots are a famine food. They are rarely eaten. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots, tubers, seeds, stems, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Caucho-blanco, Gatta rubber, Kattu rubber, Mandioca-brava, Manicoba, Mandioca brava, Manicoba, Manisoba, Mpira, mu-Bira, Nkueza, Pokok chat, Purninca, Purnunca

Synonyms

Manihot glaziovii Mull.Arg.;