| Author | L. | |
| Distribution | Widespread across the state, becoming scarce in the outer Coastal Plain and in the Sandhills.
Native of the Plains and Prairies, the original boundaries obscure. Originally of uncertain provenance status in the eastern states, but Weakley (2018) considers it as an alien in all states east of TX, AR, and OH. | |
| Abundance | Frequent to common in the Mountains and Piedmont; uncommon in the Coastal Plain. Cultivated for the edible tubers. | |
| Habitat | Roadside ditches, moist bottomlands, along streams, disturbed ground, weedy places -- usually in moist habitats. | |
| Phenology | Flowering and fruiting July-October. | |
| Identification | Jerusalem Artichoke is a fairly robust perennial from thick tuberous rhizomes, the stems 3-9 feet tall and spreading-pubescent. The leaves are well-stalked, lance-shaped to lance-ovate, acuminate, margins toothed, and the surfaces scabrous. The ray and disk florets are yellow. The combination of large well-stalked leaves and involucre bracts that spread outward will help distinguish it from others. | |
| Taxonomic Comments | | |
| Other Common Name(s) | The name "Jerusalem" is a misrepresentation of "girasol", Spanish word meaning to turn with the sun, as many sunflowers do. Though the common name is quite idiosyncratic, there is really no other alternative name in usage that is more descriptive -- i.e., "xxxxxx Sunflower"! | |
| State Rank | SE | |
| Global Rank | G5 | |
| State Status | | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | FACU link |
| USACE-emp | FACU link |
