Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
Helianthus tuberosus
The genus
Helianthus
contains 67 species, both annuals and perennials (e.g.,
H. maximiliani
, Max-
imilian sunflower, which is grown for its thin but tasty root). Botanically speaking the Jerusalem ar-
tichoke is a tuber. Jerusalem artichokes come in practically every shape, size, and color: carrot-shaped
with yellow tubers, white and red varieties with light-colored flesh, oblong and spherical and every
imaginable combination thereof. In recent decades, this South American cousin of the sunflower has
gained considerable popularity, thanks at least in part to its ability to produce vigorous vegetative
growth year after year. At the same time, it is becoming more and more common to find it naturalized,
especially along rivers, suppressing native species.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 10 to 15 good-looking tubers
• lots of garden space or a rhizome barrier (well casing, used washing machine drum, culvert piece,
etc.)
PROPAGATION
Although some varieties will flower in temperate central Europe, none produce viable
seed. For this reason, Jerusalem artichokes are propagated vegetatively via tubers, parts of tubers, or
roots. Tubers overwinter well in the ground; when dug up, they begin to dry out within a few weeks.
As long as mole damage is not a major risk, overwinter them in the ground where they were planted.
Otherwise, pack them in moist sand mixed with water-retaining fibers like cocopeat and store in a root
cellar.
A name that tells a story
Or the other way around: the story of the Jerusalem artichoke is an exciting tale of how names
are invented, whether or not they be accurate or appropriate. The Jerusalem artichoke was treas-
ured for its edible tubers by the Hurons and Algonquins, native tribes of the North American At-
lantic coast; yet somehow it became associated with the Tupinambá, a tribe native to Brazil, so
that it is now known in French and German as
topinambour
and
Topinambur
, respectively. One
explanation for the English common name Jerusalem artichoke is that the British mistook the
Italian word
girasole
(“sunflower”) for “Jerusalem.” And “artichoke” was added, perhaps, be-
cause of the flavor and the relatedness of the two plants.
Since plants easily regrow even from root parts left behind after digging up tubers, do not plant Jer-
usalem artichokes in the middle of the garden; they can quickly take over, even after being dug up. If
they are getting out of control, cut back shoots as often as possible to weaken the plants.
