Sunroot

Sunroot, also known as Jerusalem artichoke or sunchoke, is a species of perennial flowering plant in the sunflower family Asteraceae. Its scientific name is Helianthus tuberosus. The plant is native to North America and is cultivated for its edible tubers, which are starchy and have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. The tubers are a good source of inulin, a type of soluble fiber that can have prebiotic effects.

Sunroot plants are tall, growing several feet high, and produce yellow flowers resembling those of sunflowers. They are hardy and can spread aggressively, sometimes considered invasive due to their vigorous growth habit. The tubers are typically harvested in the fall or winter after the plant has died back. They can be eaten raw, roasted, boiled, or fried. When consumed raw, they offer a crisp texture.

The plant's common name, Jerusalem artichoke, is believed to be a corruption of the Italian word "girasol," meaning sunflower, combined with "artichoke" due to a perceived similarity in flavor with the globe artichoke. Despite its name, it has no connection to Jerusalem. Sunroot has been used as a food source by Native Americans for centuries and was later adopted by European settlers. It is also sometimes grown as an ornamental plant.