Rubber tree and cassava: Biological features, practical use, ethnocultural traditions

Abstract

Aim. To make a review of Hevea and Manihot, two related plant genera that have been used by humans for a long time, to analyze their biological features, to give information on their use, to present the most interesting materials associated with them. Main part. A review of Hevea and Manihot, useful plants in the tropics and subtropics, is carried out. Their characteristics are given, biological features are considered, and data on the places of origin, on the regions where they are cultivated are considered. Information on their use by people is presented: Hevea as a rubber-bearing, cassava as a food product. Special attention is paid to the cytogenetic features of Hevea and Manihot, information about the ancient polyploid origin of these plants. Conclusion. From ancient to the present time, mankind has been using in everyday life many valuable species of subtropical and tropical plants, including Hevea and Manihot, which are an integral part of ethnocultural traditions.