Manihot esculenta (root)

Nomenclature

Manihot esculenta Crantz   Euphorbiaceae  
Syn. Janipha manihot (L.) Kunth; Jatropha manihot L.  
Standardized common name (English): cassava

Botanical Voucher Specimen

Source: MOBOT, Tropicos.org

Macroscopic Characteristics

Tapioca is in irregular, hard, white, rough grains, possessing little taste, partially soluble in cold water, and affording a fine blue color when iodine is added to its filtered solution. The partial solubility in cold water is owing to the rupture of the starch granules by heat. Source: United States Dispensatory (1918)

Microscopic Characteristics

Examined under the microscope, the granules appear somewhat plano-convex or bell-shaped and more or less compound. The individual grains vary from 0.006 to 0.030 mm. in diameter and have a distinct central circular or radiating cleft. They polarize light strongly, showing a distinct cross. Source: United States Dispensatory (1918) Starch granules of various sizes from 5-30 µm in diameter rounded and sub spherical observed with an irregularly stellate cleft at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories Starch granules of various sizes from 5-30 µm in diameter rounded and sub spherical seen under polarized light showing a linear hilum at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories