Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke)
| Also known as: | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Helianthus |
| Family: | Asteraceae (Aster) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; moist fields, thickets, edges of woods |
| Bloom season: | August - October |
| Plant height: | 3 to 10 feet |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FACU MW: FACU NCNE: FACU |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/helianthus-tuberosus-29.jpg)
3 to 15 flowers at the top of the plant. Flower is up to 3½ inches across made up of 10 to 20 yellow rays (petals) and yellow-orange disk flowers in the center.
![[photo of bracts]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/helianthus-tuberosus-jerusalem-artichoke_0827_152146.jpg)
The bracts on the underside of the flower are about ½ inch long, hairy, sharply pointed and spreading at the tips.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/helianthus-tuberosus-9.jpg)
Leaves are up to 10 inches long and to 5 inches wide, gradually tapering to a point at the tip and abruptly narrowed near the base, on stalks from ¾ to 3 inches long that are often winged. Leaf edges are serrated to nearly toothless, the lower leaf surface is hairy and the upper rough textured. Attachment is opposite but may be alternate near the top of the plant. The stem is green or reddish and covered with stiff hairs, giving it a rough feel.
![[photo of developing tubers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/helianthus-tuberosus-13.jpg)
Small tubers are produced late in the season.
Fruit:
The center disk forms a head of dry seed, each about ¼ inch long and without a tuft of hairs, but with 2 bristly scales at the tip.
Notes:
Jerusalem Artichoke resembles several other tall, Minnesota native sunflowers but has the largest and proportionately broadest leaves of the lot. It spreads vegetatively via rhizomes and can create sizable populations. Prior to European settlement, its tubers were cultivated by Native Americans as an important source of carbohydrates and is still grown by food naturalists today. Its robust growth habit, however, was problematic in post-European agriculture and until recently it was listed as a noxious weed until modern herbicides removed it as an agricultural nuisance. In native habitats and in agricultural margins it is an important species for both foraging and nesting for pollinators, and its seeds are a rich food source for birds.
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More photos
Jerusalem Artichoke plant
Jerusalem Artichoke plant
roadside Jerusalem ArtichokePhotos by K. Chayka taken at Long Lake Regional Park, Ramsey County. Other photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2010-09-12 17:07:04
growing behind my fence in a sliver of blackdog park
on: 2011-08-05 19:55:11
I have a little patch of these growing on my farm. Each fall we dig out a few plants to put the tubers into stews. Very delicious!
on: 2012-05-18 13:32:40
Can you please explain the *Noxious Weed status indicated above? I didn't see this listed on the MN Noxious Weeds list. Is it designated noxious in certain MN counties? Thanks,
on: 2012-05-18 18:21:48
H. tuberosus would be a county-level noxious weed, though I can't tell you which counties. There are other "noxious" natives as well such as common milkweed, which can be a pretty aggressive breeder. The designation is strictly agricultural, not environmental. Speaking of weeds, MDA and the DNR have been revising their plant lists over the past couple years. MDA doesn't seem to be publishing county lists any more so I don't know what the status is now.
Update: the "noxious" status was given long ago due to this species (and many others) being an agricultural pest. Round-up ready crops took care of that problem and that status no longer applies.
on: 2020-07-04 13:16:37
Along part of the Munger Trail near Otter Creek. Also, on HWY 61 at a pipeline crossing. Reported to be the host plant of a moth, Eucosma bilineana, which I have recently found here.
on: 2020-08-22 23:53:32
Nicollet County -have a little patch I saw it on the noxious weed for Clearwater county i think
on: 2022-08-24 17:35:19
OT? The national map shows this as a MN noxious weed - is that correct? It's native & the birds love it!
on: 2022-08-24 17:58:03
Mary, take the national map with a grain of salt. It is using an outdated list ca. 1999, when some (not all) MN counties designated this an agricultural pest. Then along came Round-up ready crops and the problem went away. It is not currently on any MN noxious weed list.
on: 2022-09-05 14:36:31
Ottertail County.
on: 2024-08-23 16:07:36
Hi, I would like to buy a few rhizomes of Jerusalem artichoke. Any suggestions where I can find them? Thanks
on: 2024-08-23 16:36:06
Natalya, Minnesota Wildflowers does not track who sells what, so check with native plant nurseries, most which have retail stores and/or do mail order.