Compilation
Helianthus tuberosus

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Name

Identification
Helianthus tuberosus L. [family COMPOSITAE ] (stored under name); Verified by Greirson, A.J.C., 1974 Inula taquetii H.Lév. [family COMPOSITAE ] Verified by Not on sheet, Inula taquetii H.Lév. [family COMPOSITAE ] Verified by Not on sheet,
Related name
  • Helianthus decapetalus
  • Helianthus doronicoides
  • Helianthus mollis
  • Helianthus tuberosus
  • Inula taquetii
  • Helianthus rydbergii
  • Helianthus mollissimus
  • Helianthus sp.
  • Helianthus nuttallii
  • Helianthus subcanescens
Common name
  • topinambour, Flora of North America Vol. 21
  • Jerusalem artichoke, Flora of North America Vol. 21

Flora

Entry for Helianthus tuberosus Linnaeus [family COMPOSITAE]
Herbarium
Flora of North America (FNA)
Collection
Flora of North America
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of North America, Vol 21,
Names
Helianthus tuberosus Linnaeus [family COMPOSITAE], Sp. Pl., 2: 905. 1753
Helianthus tomentosus Michaux [family COMPOSITAE]
Helianthus tuberosus var. subcanescens A. Gray [family COMPOSITAE]
Treatment Author(s)
Edward E. Schilling
Information
Perennials, 50–200+ cm (rhizomatous, producing tubers late in growing season). Stems erect, scabro-hispid to hirsute (sometimes glaucous). Leaves mostly cauline; opposite or alternate proximally, usually alternate distally; petioles 2–8 cm (often ± winged); blades (3-nerved from near bases) lanceolate to ovate, 10–23 × 7–15 cm, bases broadly to narrowly cuneate, margins entire or serrate (flat), abaxial faces puberulent or hirsutulous to tomentulose and gland-dotted (abaxial) or ± scabrous (adaxial). Heads 3–15. Peduncles 1–15 cm. Involucres hemispheric, (10–25 ×) 8–12 mm. Phyllaries (often dark green, drying nearly black) 22–35 (bases appressed, apices ± spreading, sometimes reflexed in fruit), lanceolate, 8.5–15 × 2–4 mm (subequal), (margins ciliate) apices acuminate, abaxial faces hispidulous or puberulent, gland-dotted. Paleae 8–9 mm, 3-toothed (apices hairy). Ray florets 10–20; laminae 25–40 mm. Disc florets 60+; corollas 6–7 mm, lobes yellow; anthers dark brown or black, appendages dark or yellowish. Cypselae 5–7 mm, glabrous or distally hairy; pappi of 2 aristate scales 1.9–3 mm plus 0–1 deltate scales 0.5–0.8 mm. 2n = 102.
Phenology
jun-aug (summer), sep-nov (fall)
Altitude range
0–1000(–1500) m;
Distribution
cultivated and adventive in Europe.USA Ala.USA Ark.USA Colo.USA Conn.USA Del.USA D.C.USA Fla.USA Ga.USA IdahoUSA Ill.USA Ind.USA IowaUSA Kans.USA Ky.USA La.USA MaineUSA Md.USA Mass.USA Mich.USA Minn.USA Miss.USA Mo.USA Nebr.USA N.H.USA N.J.USA N.Y.USA N.C.USA N.Dak.USA OhioUSA Okla.USA Pa.USA R.I.USA S.C.USA S.Dak.USA Tenn.USA Tex.USA UtahUSA Vt.USA Va.USA Wash.USA W.Va.USA Wis.USA Wyo.Canada Man.Canada N.B.Canada N.S.Canada Ont.Canada P.E.I.Canada Que.Canada Sask.
Discussion
Helianthus tuberosus is variable, probably in part stemming from hybridization with other polyploids, including H. pauciflorus, H. resinosus, and H. strumosus. Helianthus tuberosus is so widely spread as a weedy species that its original distribution is difficult to discern. It has been used as a food plant for its tubers by native Americans (although not necessarily domesticated or even cultivated); it has been developed as a crop primarily in Europe, where it has become widely naturalized. The common name Jerusalem artichoke is a misnomer, as explained by C. B. Heiser (1976).

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