MANIOC

Family
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Description
A bushy herb or shrub with elongated tubers; leaves alternate, simple, deeply lobed; flowers inconspicuous; fruit a 6-angled globose capsule.
Origin
Brazil.
Where Found
Plant not grown in North Carolina, imported, purchased in grocery stores, widely cultivated in the tropics for the tuberous roots.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Raw roots or peelings of the tubers (thickened roots).
Symptoms
Weak and irregular breathing, weakness, excitement, depression, staggering, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma of short duration.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Tubers boiled and eaten or made into tapioca.
Toxic Principle
Cyanogenic glycosides linamarin and lotaustralin.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!