Helianthus tuberosus
Jerusalem Artichoke
a perennial member of the Helianthus genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Helianthus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 2.4 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Bees, Flies
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Tubers - raw or cooked[7][16][17][18]. The tuber develops a pleasant sweetness during the winter, especially if subjected to frosts, and is then reasonably acceptable raw[K]. Otherwise it is generally best cooked, and can be used in all the ways that potatoes are used[K]. The tubers are rich in inulin[16], a starch which the body cannot digest, so Jerusalem artichokes provide a bulk of food without many calories[K]. Some people are not very tolerant of inulin, it tends to ferment in their guts and can cause quite severe wind[K]. The tubers are fairly large, up to 10cm long and 6cm in diameter[9]. The tubers bruise easily and lose moisture rapidly so are best left in the ground and harvested as required[9]. The inulin from the roots can be converted into fructose, a sweet substance that is safe for diabetics to use[16][5]. The roasted tubers are a coffee substitute[6].
- Product or use
- Coffee
- Product or use
- Sweetener
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Reported to be aperient, aphrodisiac, cholagogue, diuretic, spermatogenetic, stomachic, and tonic, Jerusalem artichoke is a folk remedy for diabetes and rheumatism[11].
- Product or use
- Aperient
- Product or use
- Cholagogue
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plants are a good source of biomass. The tubers are used in industry to make alcohol etc[2]. The alcohol fermented from the tubers is said to be of better quality than that from sugar beets[11]. A fast-growing plant, Jerusalem artichokes can be grown as a temporary summer screen[9]. Very temporary, it is July before they reach a reasonable height and by October they are dying down[K].
- Product or use
- Biomass
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Minnesota and Kansas. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.
- Habitat
- Rich and damp thickets[15].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn[9]. Harvest the tubers in late autumn or the winter and either replant the tubers immediately or store them in a cool but frost-free place and plant them out in early spring. Jerusalem artichoke is propagated by tubers, which should be planted as early as possible in the spring when the soil can be satisfactorily worked[11]. Late planting usually reduces tuber yields and size seriously. Whole tubers or pieces about 50 g (2 oz.) should be planted like potatoes and covered to a depth of 10 cm. Pieces larger than 50 g do not increase the yield, though those smaller will decrease it. Deeper planting may delay emergence, weaken the sprouts, and cause the tubers to develop deeper, making harvest more difficult[11]. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cultivation
It is growing well on my allotment in Hampshire, stony soil over chalk, and the bit of ground it is on didn't get any organic matter for several years and is fairly dry in summer but I suppose it hasn't dried out this year due to high rainfall. It is in full sun and is flowering it's heart out now; quite a pretty ground cover. ( Mid May )
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None listed.
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Helianthus tuberosus
Genus
Helianthus
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Uses
Material uses
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
Adapted Climate Zones
Native Geographical Range
Native Environment
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
2.4 x 0.6 meters
Fertility
Pollinators
Bees, Flies
Flower Colour
Flower Type
hermaphrodite
{#set:Has binomial name=Helianthus tuberosus
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820
Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00
Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00
Simmons A. E. Simmons' Manual of Fruit. David & Charles. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-7607-1
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3
Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading ISBN 0704909820 (1986-00-00)
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - (1983-00-00)
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)