Which parts of the jicama plant are considered toxic due to the presence of rotenone?
Answer
The skin, leaves, stems, and seeds
While the white flesh of the jicama root is edible and nutritious, the rest of the plant, including the skin, leaves, stems, and seeds, contains a natural pesticide known as rotenone. This compound is toxic to humans. To ensure safety, it is essential to peel away the entire brown skin before consumption. While encountering stems or seeds is rare in a typical grocery setting, awareness of this chemical composition is important to prevent accidental ingestion of these specific, non-edible plant parts.
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