AbstractThe morphological and agronomic characteristics (i.e. roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds) of cassava are discussed, including growth and development (i.e. plant developmental stages, leaf area development, temporal development of cell division and cell expansion, dry matter partitioning and source sink relations, flowering, photosynthesis, cyanide content and physical deterioration of storage roots) environmental effects on cassava physiology (i.e. temperature, photoperiod, solar radiation, drought tolerance, control of stomatal closure and leaf growth, abscisic acid accumulation and osmotic adjustment).