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Helianthus tuberosus
  • Jerusalem Artichoke

a perennial member of the Helianthus genus in the family Compositae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Helianthus tuberosus has 3 edible uses listed
Helianthus tuberosus has 1 material uses listed
Helianthus tuberosus has 5 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Tubers - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4]. 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[2], 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[5]. The tubers bruise easily and lose moisture rapidly so are best left in the ground and harvested as required[5].

The inulin from the roots can be converted into fructose, a sweet substance that is safe for diabetics to use[2][6].

The roasted tubers are a coffee substitute[7].

Unknown part

Coffee
Sweetener

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The plants are a good source of biomass. The tubers are used in industry to make alcohol etc[8]. The alcohol fermented from the tubers is said to be of better quality than that from sugar beets[9]. A fast-growing plant, Jerusalem artichokes can be grown as a temporary summer screen[5]. Very temporary, it is July before they reach a reasonable height and by October they are dying down[K].

Unknown part

Biomass

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Reported to be aperient, aphrodisiac, cholagogue, diuretic, spermatogenetic, stomachic, and tonic, Jerusalem artichoke is a folk remedy for diabetes and rheumatism[9].

Unknown part

Aperient
Cholagogue
Diuretic
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[5]. 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[9]. 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[9].

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Helianthus tuberosus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



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 )

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Helianthus tuberosus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Helianthus tuberosus
Genus
Helianthus
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[9]
Material uses & Functions
[8][9][5]
Botanic
[10][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Unknown part (Coffee)
  • Root (Unknown use)
  • Unknown part (Sweetener)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Biomass)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Aperient)
  • Unknown part (Cholagogue)
  • Unknown part (Diuretic)
  • Unknown part (Stomachic)
  • Unknown part (Tonic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
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
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
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

  1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
  5. ? 5.005.015.025.035.045.055.065.075.085.095.105.115.12 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading ISBN 0704909820 (1986-00-00)
  9. ? 9.009.019.029.039.049.059.069.079.089.099.109.11 Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - (1983-00-00)
  10. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (1977-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Simmons A. E. Simmons' Manual of Fruit. David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-7607-1 (1978-00-00)
  15. ? Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  16. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
  17. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  18. ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)


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