Jerusalem artichoke picture # 1

Jerusalem artichoke grows wild in North America from Saskatchewan, east to Ontario and south to Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee. Its original distribution is not clear because it was widely spread by natives who cultivated it for the edible tubers. The original range probably was the northern Great Plains of Canada and the Jerusalem artichoke grows in moist soils in old fields, along roads and the edges of forests.

Here, it is growing wild along the creek. I love the look of the big clumps and the individual flowers are pretty kool too. ;•)

Joan

Jerusalem artichoke picture # 2

Whoops, I goofed with the title. lol

Joan

Joan
That's why I like this place ...I learn something every time I visit.
How tall are these guys and do they need moist spots? They look very interesting and you can eat them too. That is certainly a bonus !
Thankyou for pointing out this interesting plant.
Ann

They are still grown for food here in Manitoba Used for people with allergies. We have 3 plots of them in our local community garden, so I had to ask what they were and why. Didn't know they were Jerusalem artichokes till you posted, Joan.
Inanda

Years ago, I grew them a bit in my garden, I think. But I had no idea that they were hardy enough to spread like that.
Ann

They are very pretty in masses. I did have some in my garden but it was wanting to take it over so I got rid of it.
:) Donna

Very pretty flower! And food to boot-can't beat that!
Christine

Fascinating plant Joan......I haven't noticed them here but a farmer at Jackfish Lake (near the Battlefords) planted them as a food crop.

WOW I finally know what this flower is. I was told it was a sunflower and never looked into it. Now I can also tell my friend who I have given some to.

Cheers
April

annabell52 ~ they range from level with my face (about 5') to around 11' or so. I've never eaten the tubers but am told they're somewhat like a potatoe.

Last year, when we had that cool summer they were thicker and taller ~ a truly spectacular sight.

PerennialGirl ~ they will take over, if you let them. Not that much work to dig out the edges of the patch each Spring to keep them in check, just as we do with other plants. However, they are best planted in a large garden, and of course with their potential height, in the back, or even better, in their own 'patch'.

Hau, yes, they are related to the sunflower. Here is a link ~ http://www.floridata.com/ref/h/heli_tub.cfm

As I said above, these are growing wild so they can go where they want to. lol

Joan

I like the tubers best raw - peeled and sliced up in salads, but I think you can cook them as well. Raw, they are crisp and slightly sweet.

Ann

I like them sautéed, and mixed with other veggies

darius, nice to see one of our American friends visit.

After reading the responses, I'm tempted to go down to the creek and dig some up. lol

Joan

You should, they really are tasty as well as nutritious.

Joan
I like them raw with other veggies I think they taste like the broccoli stem without any of the tough parts. They have a great crunch to them. I have not ever cooked them.
But now I know how great they look I may give them a try and when they get to invasive I'll just eat them. LOL
Ann

I thought an Artichoke was a small round, thick leaf thing you steamed and ate the bottoms of the leaves untill you got to the heart of the "choke". I didn't know they were actually flowers. Go figure.

You're right, Darrell. The Artichoke that is sold in grocery stores is what you described. This is the Jerusalem Artichoke..
:) Donna

Donna, yes a completely different plant, as far as I know.

;•) Joan

I just got done talking with a neighbor who grows these. He also grows "Chinese Artichoke"

I'm going to get some of each from him.

I've never heard of Chinese Artichoke, but there ya go ~ there's lots of veggies that I see on the www that I've never heard of. Makes one wonder just what they're missing out on.

Joan, always willing to try something new.

Here's a link. BTW, why is this message so wide?

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/Information/Veg/rarev.2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/Information/Veg/rarev.htm&h=200&w=200&sz=10&tbnid=OhT8-qpu-TEJ:&tbnh=99&tbnw=99&hl=en&start=4&prev=/images%3Fq%3DChinese%2BArtichoke%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DGGLD,GGLD:2004-50,GGLD:en%26sa%3DN

's OK now. Don't worry ~ be happy.

Joan

The guy I'm getting them from is in the Garden Watchdog. It's "Mapple Farms" in New Brunswick. Nice guy, lives about 15 minutes from me. Check his stuff out. No web site, but you can get what you need via email.

Here is a picture and a description of the "Chinese Artichoke"

Description:
The plant is in the mint family but the edible part of the plant are small white tubers. The tubers can be eaten raw as one might a Jeruseleum artichoke (no relation) or cooked like a potato or other starch.

Picture:

DarrellR, They look very much like the Jerusalem artichoke.

Joan

I couldn't find a picture of the flower. (darn it)