Climate and origin

Cassava is thought to have originated somewhere in South America. Cassava grows in warm tropical climates (Zones 9 11 in the U.S.) Cassava (yuca or manioc) is a nutty flavored, starchy tuber in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) of plants from the South American region. Its sweet crunchy underground tuber is a popular edible root since centuries for indigenous people of many parts of Africa, Asia and South American continents. Together with other tropical roots and starch rich foods like yam, taro, plantains, potato, etc, it too is an indispensable part of carbohydrate diet for millions of inhabitants living in these regions.