Kamoteng kahoy

Family euphorbiaceae

Scientific name: Manihot esculenta crantz.

Local names

            Balangai (S. L. Bis)

            Balinghoy (Tag, P. Bis)

            Kamote ti moro Ilk, Lbn)

            Kamote-kahoi (Sul)

            Kamoteng kahoy (Sbl, Bik, Bis, Tag)

            Malamboñga (Tagbo)

            Padpadi (Bon)

            Panggi (Sul)

            Cassava (Engl)

            Tapioca plant (Engl)

            Manioc (Engl)

 Traditional uses

          a.       root

1.      poultice applied on wounds

2.      starch applied to children’ skin rashes

3.      eaten to cure ulcer

b.      bark

1.      decoction used for joint pains

2.      decoction taken to expel intestinal worms

             c.       leaves

1.      poultice applied for fever and headache

 research findings

             the bitter variety, from which starch is obtained, contains  cyanogenetic glucosides and is poisonous if not cooked well

 food values

            tuber is staple in some areas. It is mostly starch.

             The young leaves are eaten as vegetable and are a good source of vitamin A.

Recommended medicinal uses

            For itchiness: prepare a paste from the cassva starch and apply on affected part

 Botanical and agricultural characteristics

            Habit: shrub

            Habitat: planted or semicultivated in settled areas

            Propagation: stem cutting