Jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke)
Helianthus tuberosus
A tall perennial sunflower that spreads by underground growth and forms knobbly edible tubers. It is cultivated as a vegetable and occurs in naturalized colonies. The cleaned tubers can be cooked or used raw; they contain inulin, which can cause digestive discomfort for some people.
Native range
North America; the precise original range is uncertain after long Indigenous cultivation and later spread. Cultivated and naturalized in Ontario.
Typical season
Broad southern Ontario autumn tuber reference: the provincial crop profile recommends harvest after frost and top removal. Frozen soil can prevent access; tuber storage is not live availability.
Identification
Confirm the sunflower's stems, rough leaves, flowers and attached tubers together. A dug-up root alone cannot establish identity, and other sunflowers are not interchangeable. Jerusalem artichoke is unrelated to globe artichoke. Dig only where permitted, clean tubers thoroughly, and do not spread pieces of this vigorous plant to new sites.