Jerusalem-artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus, Sp. Pl.: 905 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 905 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Helianthus

Vegetable: True

Observations: C. & E. Canada to U.S.A.

Description

The Jerusalem-artichoke, scientifically known as Helianthus tuberosus, is a fascinating perennial plant that hails from the Asteraceae family. First documented in 1753, this remarkable plant has garnered attention for its distinctive characteristics and historical significance.

Native to the regions of central and eastern Canada and extending into the United States, the Jerusalem-artichoke thrives in a variety of climates and soil conditions. This robust adaptability has made it a valuable crop and a persistent presence in both wild and cultivated landscapes across North America.

The plant, often mistaken as a relative of the globe artichoke, is an entirely different species despite its common name. Instead, it is more closely associated with sunflowers, which is evident in its bright yellow blooms and towering stature that can reach up to three meters in height. The flowers, striking in their cheerful appearance, are not the only notable feature of this plant. Below the soil lies its true treasure: the tuber.

The tubers of the Jerusalem-artichoke are knobby and irregular, resembling ginger root but with a crisp texture and a nutty, sweet flavor somewhat akin to that of artichokes. These tubers are not just a curiosity; they have been cultivated and consumed for centuries. Historically, Native American tribes utilized them as a significant food source due to their nutritional richness and storability. Today, they continue to be valued not only for their culinary versatility but also for their health benefits, being a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Jerusalem-artichoke is its use as a sustainable crop. The plant is notably hardy, requiring minimal agricultural inputs while still providing a substantial yield. It’s prized for its potential in biofuel production, owing to the high inulin content in its tubers that can be converted into ethanol.

In agriculture and gardens alike, the Jerusalem-artichoke serves multiple functions. It can act as a natural barrier or windbreak due to its height and density. Its flowers attract pollinators, benefiting surrounding plants, and its tubers offer both a harvestable crop and a natural source of organic matter to enrich the soil.

In summary, the Jerusalem-artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus, is a plant of remarkable utility and historical importance. From its radiant blooms to its nutritious tubers, it embodies both beauty and practicality. Whether found in the wild plains of North America or cultivated in a backyard garden, this plant continues to provide ecological and economic value, standing as a testament to the enduring bounty of the natural world.

Common Names

Nld: aardpeer
Mlt: artiċiok
Eng: earth-apple, jerusalem artichoke, jerusalem-artichoke, sunchoke, topinambur, artichoke, iroquois potato, jerusalem sunflower
Deu: erdapfel, erdbirne, indianerknolle, topinambur
Ita: girasole del canadà, topinambur
Lit: gumbinė saulėgrąža
Dan: jordskok
Ron: napi porcesti, topinambur
Pol: słonecznik bulwiasty
Fra: topinambour, artichaut de jérusalem, hélianthe tubéreux
Tur: yerelmasi
Spa: aguaturma, alcachofa de jerusalén, castaña de tierra, marenquera, margarita grande, nyamera, námara, pataca, patata de canya, patata de caña, patata de palo, topinambur, tupinambo, turma de agua, venadillo
Lav: bumbuļu topinambūrs, topinambūrs
Swe: jordärtskocka
Ell: kolokasi
Est: maapirn
Ces: slune
Hun: vadcsicsóka (incl. sokvirágú n.)
Cym: artisiog caersalem, artisiog jerusalem, blodau’r-haul goddfog, blodyn-yr-haul oddfog
En: Jerusalem-artichoke, Earth-apple, Topinambur, Sunchoke, Jerusalem artichoke, Топинамбур, Artichoke, Iroquois potato, Jerusalem sunflower, Sunflower Artichoke, Indian potato, Girasole, Tuberous sunflower
Af: Jerusalem artisjok
Ar: دوار الشمس الدرني
Hy: Գետնախնձոր
Az: Kökyumrulu günəbaxan
Eu: Topinanbu
Be: Тапінамбур
Bg: Земна ябълка
Ca: Nyàmera
Zh: 洋姜
Cv: Топинамбур
Co: Tupinambur
Hr: Čičoka
Cs: Topinambur hlíznatý, Slune
Da: Jordskok
Nl: Aardpeer, Ardpeer, Topinambour
Eo: Terpiro
Et: Maapirn
Fi: Maa-artisokka
Fr: Artichaut de Jérusalem, Topinambour, Hélianthe tubéreux, Artichaut du Canada, Cartofle, Patate de Virginie, Poire de terre
Ka: Მიწავაშლა
De: Indianerknolle, Erdbirne, Topinambur, Erdapfel, Knollen-Sonnenblume, Knollige Sonnenblume
El: Αγκινάρα Ιερουσαλήμ, Kolokasi
He: ארטישוק ירושלמי
Hu: Csicsóka, Vadcsicsóka (incl. sokvirágú n.)
Is: Ætifífill
Io: Topinamburo
Ga: Bliosán gréine
It: Girasole del Canada, Tartufo di Canna, Topinambur, Rapa tedesca o Carciofo di Gerusalemme, Girasole del Canadà, Tartufo bianco, Patata de Canada, Topinambour
Ja: Kiku-imo
Kk: Жер алмұрты
Ky: Топинамбур
Ko: 뚱딴지
Ku: Sêvarxin
Lv: Topinambūrs, Bumbuļu topinambūrs
Lt: Topinambas, Gumbinė saulėgrąža
Lb: Russesch Gromper
Mk: Кркушка
Ml: യെരുശലേം ആർട്ടിചോക്ക്
Mt: Artiċiok
Gv: Blaa greiney
No: Jordskokk
Os: Зæххыфæткъуы
Fa: سیب‌زمینی ترش
Pl: Słonecznik bulwiasty
Pt: Batata-tupinambá, Girassol-de-batata, Tupinambá, Tupinambor
Pt-br: Girassol-de-batata, Tupinambá, Tupinambor, Batata-tupinambá
Ro: Topinambur, Napi porcesti
Ru: Zemljanaja gruša, Podsolnečnik klubenosnij, Topinambur, Топинамбур
Sr: Čičoka
Sk: Slnečnica hľuznatá
Es: Aguaturma, Castaña de tierra, Pataca, Patata de caña, Námara, Topinambur, Alcachofa de Jerusalén, Marenquera, Margarita grande, Nyamera, Patata de canya, Patata de palo, Tupinambo, Turma de agua, Venadillo
Sv: Jordärtskocka
Zh-tw: 洋薑
Ta: முட் சூரியகாந்தி
Tt: Топинамбур
Th: ทานตะวันหัว, แก่นตะวัน
Zh-hant: 菊芋
Tr: Yer elması, Yerelmasi
Uk: Топінамбур
Uz: Topinambur
Vi: Cúc vu
Wa: Canada ås coines
Cy: Blodyn-yr-haul oddfog, Artisiog Caersalem, Artisiog Jerusalem, Blodau’r-Haul Goddfog

Synonyms

• Helianthus pubescens (Aiton)
• Helianthus esculentus (Warsz.)
• Helianthus doronicoides (Torr. & A.Gray)
• Helianthemum tuberosum (Garsault)
• Helianthus tuberosus f. moldenkeanus (Oswald)
• Helianthus subcanescens ((A.Gray) E.Watson)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. multituberculatus (Cockerell)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. nebrascensis (Cockerell)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. typicus (Cockerell)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. albus (Cockerell)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. alexandri (Cockerell)
• Helianthus strumosus subsp. tomentosus ((Michx.) Anashch.)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. fusiformis (Cockerell)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. purpurellus (Cockerell)
• Helianthus tuberosus f. oswaldiae (Oswald)
• Helianthus tomentosus (Michx.)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. subcanescens (A.Gray)
• Helianthus tuberosus var. purpureus (Cockerell)
• Helianthus serotinus (Tausch)
• Helianthus spathulatus (Elliott)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 27, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 28, 2017 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Mike Chilton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 6, 2019 by Berrin Berrin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2017 by Tara Conler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2022 by Giacomo Sellan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2019 by jaume bertranpetit (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Obertine (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by helles_Sternchen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2020 by Larissa Paul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by bruno delag (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2019 by Porras Sanchez Antonio (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3119175)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:329252-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Helianthus tuberosus L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 8