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DictionarycassavaStarchy root crop
noun

cassava

kuh-SAH-vuh/kəˈsɑːvə/

A tropical plant grown for its starchy edible roots.

The cassava plant has palmate leaves above its thick storage roots.

A cassava plant with distinctive palmate leaves and an exposed cluster of elongated storage roots, accompanied by one cut root showing rough brown skin and solid white flesh.
Etymology
cassavaTaínocrop name

The crop’s name traces to Taíno caçabi. The evidence establishes this Indigenous source but gives no literal gloss connecting the name with the plant’s edible tuberous roots.

In context

Agriculture Insight0:37
From there, the cassava is transported to modern processing plants where advanced technology and human craftsmanship work together to transform the rough roots not only into versatile pure white starch
How Millions Tons of Cassava Are Processed – Massive Cassava Starch Farming & Processing

More examples

  • The market sells flour made from cassava.
  • Rows of cassava grow beside the path.
  • The cook prepares cassava before adding it to the meal.

Similar words

yam
A different starchy root crop with distinct botanical origins.
tapioca
A starch extracted from cassava rather than the plant itself.