Definition

Noun: - A tropical plant (Manihot esculenta) cultivated for its large, tuberous, starchy roots, which are a major food source in many regions. The plant has soft, brittle stems and its roots are used to produce various foodstuffs, including tapioca and cassiri, an intoxicating beverage.

Usage

• The term is used as the formal, scientific name for the cassava plant. It is primarily employed in botanical, agricultural, and scientific contexts to specify this particular species.

Examples

• is a crucial crop for food security in many tropical countries.
• The farmer cultivated a drought-resistant variety of .
• Tapioca is derived from the roots of .

Advanced Usage

• In economic botany, is studied for its yield, pest resistance, and nutritional content.
• The term is used in taxonomic classification to distinguish this edible species from other, often inedible or wild, species within the genus.

Variants and Related Words

• Cassava: The common name for .
• Manioc: Another common name for the same plant.
• Tapioca plant: A name referring to the plant when cultivated specifically for tapioca production.
• Yuca (in Spanish and culinary contexts): Note: This should not be confused with , which is a different, ornamental plant.

Synonyms

• Cassava
• Manioc
• Tapioca plant

Notes on Meaning

• The definition specifically refers to the cultivated species with edible roots. Other species in the genus, such as (Ceará rubber tree), are not used for food.
• The reference to making "cassiri" highlights one of its traditional, regional uses in producing fermented beverages.

Noun

1. cassava with long tuberous edible roots and soft brittle stems; used especially to make cassiri (an intoxicating drink) and tapioca