Jerusalem Artichoke

This plant is familiar to many as a weed. Native to N. America, it can be grown successfully through the U.S. and was widely used from the 16th century as human food and livestock feed. It's suggested that the name comes from the fact that it was a staple food among N.A. pilgrim, who through they were in "the new Jerusalem".

Also known as sunroot, sunchoke, earth apple or topinambur; this herbaceous perennial plant is a member of the Aster family and more closely resembles a sunflower (helianthus annuus) rather than an artichoke (cynara scolymus). It grows anywher... more »

This plant is familiar to many as a weed. Native to N. America, it can be grown successfully through the U.S. and was widely used from the 16th century as human food and livestock feed. It's suggested that the name comes from the fact that it was a staple food among N.A. pilgrim, who through they were in "the new Jerusalem".

Also known as sunroot, sunchoke, earth apple or topinambur; this herbaceous perennial plant is a member of the Aster family and more closely resembles a sunflower (helianthus annuus) rather than an artichoke (cynara scolymus). It grows anywhere from 5 to 10 feet tall (1.5 to 3 m). The tubers are eaten raw, pickled or boiled, and otherwise similar to potatoes. The tuber is a viable fructose sources as well. Protein in the leaves is at their maximum in mid-september Harvest similar to potatoes, using the same tools (less)