Manihot esculenta

Native to tropical South America, this semi-woody perennial shrub can reach about thirteen feet tall and develops large, starchy storage roots that have long been an important tropical food crop. Small flowers form loose clusters at the ends of branches. Male and female flowers occur separately and have five united sepals but no petals. The plant belongs to the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. Raw roots contain cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide and must be properly processed before eating. Photographed in Colombia.