Jerusalem artichoke and common sunflower are both members of the same genus Helianthus within the composite family Compositae. Both plants produce showy yellow flowers on tall stems, up to 3 m in height.
Each Jerusalem artichoke flower has 12 to 20 petal-like, bright yellow rays surrounding a bisexual center disk of tiny darker yellow disk florets. The disc florets produce both nectar and pollen which attract primarily bees, including bumblebees.