Jerusalem artichoke, a relative of the sunflower, is native to central North America. It is cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which has a crisp texture and when cooked, it becomes a soft, nutty alternative to potatoes. Originally, the plant was cultivated by Native Americans of the Great Plains.
Jerusalem artichoke is an herbaceous perennial which grows 1.5 to 3 m tall. The flowers are yellow, with a diameter of 5 to 10 cm, with 10–20 ray florets and 60 or more small disc florets. The flowers are briefly fragrant, giving off a light, vanilla-chocolate perfume.
The tubers are often elongated and uneven, typically 7.5 to 10 cm long and 3 to 5 cm thick. They vary in color from pale brown to white, red, or purple.