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Jerusalem Artichoke, Jerusalem Sunflower, Sunchoke, Girasole - Helianthus tuberosus


Family: Asteraceae - Aster family Genus Common Name: Sunflower Native Status: NativeDicot Perennial Herb
Helianthus tuberosus - Jerusalem Artichoke, Jerusalem Sunflower, Sunchoke, Girasole. As with many members of Helianthus, Jerusalem Artichoke can be quite variable. One of the key features of this plant, the edible tubers, are underground and produced late in the season, so they aren't really a good identification feature (unless you want folks walking around pulling up the plants - I don't.)

This beautiful, showy sunflower is considered weedy or invasive by some authorities. It is found in all but 5 states, and also in much of Canada.

Found in:
AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

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Helianthus tuberosus

Distribution of Helianthus tuberosus in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2012-October-04Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The bright yellow blossom of Jerusalem Artichoke will have 10 to 20 ray flowers each up to about an inch and a half long. The yellow disk is typically up to an inch across.
Helianthus tuberosus

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2011-September-24Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
The bright yellow blossom of Jerusalem Artichoke will have 10 to 20 ray flowers each up to about an inch and a half long. The yellow disk is typically up to an inch across.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus tuberosus

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2011-September-24Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Jerusalem Artichoke can be up to 10 feet tall, with one to several stems terminated with a cluster of one or more blossoms. The plants will frequently grow in large sprawling colonies in moist areas. The colonies I've seen have been in open areas near creeks.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus tuberosus

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2011-September-24Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
As with many members of Helianthus, H. tuberosus will likely have both opposite and, in the upper part of the plant, alternate leaves.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus tuberosus

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2011-September-24Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The lower leaves of Jerusalem Artichoke will be opposite. The leaves are rough, ovate (widest part closer to the stem), and on winged petioles. Some of the leaves (particularly upper ones) may be lanceolate rather than ovate, but generally the leaves will be broader than the somewhat simlar H. giganteus. The leaves can be up to 8 to 10 inches long. The stems are hairy to one degree or another, and can be reddish. Similar H. grosseseratus has smooth, usually glaucous reddish stems.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus tuberosus

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2011-September-24Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The hemispheric involucres will have up to 35 lanceolate, sharp-tipped, dark green phyllaries which have ciliate edges. Most will be black as they dry.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus tuberosus

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2012-October-04Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Jerusalem Artichoke grows in large colonies.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Helianthus tuberosus

References used for identification and information:
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Helianthus tuberosus initially published on USWildflowers.com 2011-10-13; Updated 2017-03-02

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302