The plant Manihot esculenta (family Euphorbiaceae), also called manioc. It is one of the 10 most important food plants, and the most important starchy root or tuber of the tropics. It originated in Central or South America, possibly Brazil, and was domesticated and widely distributed well before the time of Columbus. Subsequent distribution has established cassava as a major crop in eastern and western Africa, in India, and in Indonesia. Brazil continues to be the largest producer.