Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae
Jerusalem Artichoke Flower
Helianthus tuberosus
Underground abundance and sunny resilience.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Genus
- Helianthus
- Native to
- central and eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Late Summer, Fall
- Type
- herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 150–300 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- adaptable; prefers loose, well-drained
- Water
- medium
- Hardiness
- 3–9
- Lifespan
- perennial; spreads vigorously by tubers
Did you know
- The name 'Jerusalem' is likely a corruption of the Italian 'girasole' (turning to the sun), not a reference to the Holy Land.
- Its tubers store energy as inulin rather than starch, making them a low-glycemic food popular with diabetics.
- Native Americans cultivated Jerusalem artichokes long before European contact, and they were one of the first New World crops sent to Europe.
- A single plant can produce 2–5 kg of edible tubers each season, making it one of the most productive perennial food crops.
- Once established, Jerusalem artichokes are nearly impossible to eradicate — any tuber fragment left in soil will sprout a new plant.
Color meanings
Yellow
hidden nourishment and cheerful bounty