Manihot esculenta 'Variegata'

Of garden origin from a tropical South American species, this variegated cassava is a semi-woody perennial shrub with large storage roots. It usually grows about three to four feet tall. Deeply divided leaves have yellow centres that fade to cream, bordered irregularly with green, while bright red leaf stalks provide a further contrast. Flowers are seldom observed on this ornamental cultivar. It belongs to the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. Raw roots contain cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide and must be properly processed before eating. Photographed in Florida.