Jerusalem artichoke

Flower of Jerusalem artichoke -
Photo by Charlotta Wasteson

Jerusalem artichoke is related to the sunflower. It originates from eastern North America and is grown in temperate climates for its tubers which are used as a root vegetable.

The name is a bit confusing as the plant is not related to the artichoke.

Names

Scientific
   Helianthus tuberosus
English
   Earth apple
   Jerusalem artichoke
   Sunchoke
   Sunroot
   Topinambour
Dutch
   Aardpeer
   Jeruzalemartisjok
   Knolzonnebloem
   Topinamboer
Spanish
   Aguaturma
   Papa de Jerusalén
   Patata de Judea
   Topinambur
   Tupinambo
French
   Artichaut de Jérusalem
   Topinambour
German
   Erdapfel
   Erdbirne
   Erdtrüffel
   Ewigkeitskartoffel
   Indianerknolle
   Jerusalem-Artischocke
   Kleine Sonnenblume
   Ross-Erdäpfel
   Topinambur
Italian
   Rapa tedesca
   Topinambur

Taxonomy

Genus
   Helianthus
Family
   Asteraceae
Order
   Asterales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Eastern North America

Distribution:

Temperate climates

Annual, biennial, or perennial:

It is a herbaceous perennial plant.

Flowers:

The yellow flowers are produced in flowerheads with a diameter of 5–10 cm. They bear 10–20 ray florets.

Leaves:

The rough leaves have a hairy texture. On the lower stem the leaves are larger (up to 30 cm long), but higher on the stem the leaves are smaller and narrower.

Tuber:

Tubers are elongated and uneven, usually about 7.5–10 cm long and 3–5 cm thick. The color of the tubers vary from pale brown to white, red, or purple. When raw they have a crisp texture. They have a sweet taste because they contain fructose.

Climate and weather:

Temperate climate

Height:

Jerusalem artichoke can be 1.5 to 3 meters tall.

Spacing:

Propagation:

Planting the tubers

Harvesting:

Manual dgging for the tubers.

Uses:

Tubers are used as a root vegetable and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are sometimes used as a substitute for potatoes.
Tubers can be used to produce a spirit: Jerusalem artichoke brandy.

Proverbs and Quotes

“…in my judgement, which way soever they be drest and eaten they stir up and cause a filthie loathsome stinking winde with the bodie, thereby causing the belly to bee much pained and tormented…. more fit for swine, than men.”
(by John Goodyer, 1621)

Did you know that?

If at harvest small pieces of tuber are left in the soil they will easily grow and the plant becomes a potential weed for the next crop.

Crop categories

Vegetables
Root vegetables
Tuber vegetables
Food crops
Temperate crops

Pictures