Manihot esculenta
Cassava
Manihot esculenta, commonly known as cassava or manioc, is a vital starchy tuberous crop native to South America. Renowned globally for its food security importance, it also possesses significant medicinal properties, offering bioactive compounds used in traditional practices to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and various other ailments.
- Scientific name: Manihot esculenta
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Manihot esculenta, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Its specific taxonomic classification is completed by the genus Manihot.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Manihot | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Manihot esculenta, is recognized by various names across different linguistic and cultural landscapes. In Mandarin Chinese, it is referred to as 木薯 (mùshǔ), while in Javanese, it is called Ketéla pohung. In Polish, the plant is known as maniok jadlny, and in Basque, it goes by the name manioka. Additionally, in the Qiang language, it is identified as rumu.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 木薯 | Wikidata |
| jv | Ketéla pohung | Wikidata |
| pl | Maniok jadalny | Wikidata |
| eu | Manioka | Wikidata |
| qu | Rumu | Wikidata |
| es | yuca | Wikidata |
| ta | மரவள்ளி | Wikidata |
| ms | Ubi kayu | Wikidata |
| to | Mānioke | Wikidata |
| bn | শিমুল আলু | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known scientifically as Manihot esculenta, exhibits a diverse geographical range across several continents. In Southeastern Europe, its presence can be identified within the country of Italy. Moving toward the African continent, the species is widely distributed throughout West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it is found in the nations of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Additionally, its distribution extends to the coastal region of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, scientifically known as Manihot esculenta, utilizes different parts of its anatomy for various nutritional and medicinal purposes. The cassava tuber, which is the enlarged adventitious root, serves as a primary energy storage organ and is the most widely consumed part of the plant. Additionally, the leaf plays a crucial role in photosynthesis and is often utilized in traditional medicine and culinary practices due to its specific nutrient profile.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cassava tuber | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Manihot esculenta has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 35 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, starch, tannins, ABA, As.
- Total chemicals
- 31
- Scientific sources
- 35
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| starch | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ABA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| As | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cr | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Manihot esculenta has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Manihot esculenta has 24 reported medicinal uses identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Acne, Malnutrition, Women's health, abscesses.
- Total uses
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acne | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Malnutrition | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Women's health | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abscesses | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| conjunctivitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| drought tolerance | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |