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Digging Up Cassava's Past
For thousands of years, the cassava plant grew only in South America. It took hundreds of years for it to reach tropical regions on other continents. Many plants like cassava were introduced to other areas in the world by explorers who traveled on ships. When did this plant's worldwide travels begin? During the 1500s, Europeans imported cassava from South America to the West Indies. Then the Portuguese brought the cassava plant to the west coast of Africa. By the late 1700s, cassava made its way to eastern Africa and India. Because of its ability to grow in bad soil where other plants normally wouldn't grow, cassava became an important food resource for millions of people all over the world.
OLOGY CARD 136
Series: Plant
cassava plant
Cassava is one tough plant because it can grow in poor and infertile soil in most tropical environments. Cassava is an important food resource for people all over the world. This bushy plant has roots that weigh as much as 30 pounds! These heavy roots are sometimes mashed into yummy pancakes or sliced and fried like potato chips. Cassava leaves are high in vitamins and minerals.
Image credits: main image, courtesy of Roger Harris, Jungle Photos.