Helianthus tuberosus L.

• Authority

  Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

• Family

  Asteraceae

• Scientific Name

  Helianthus tuberosus L.

• Description

  Species Description - Perennial with well developed, commonly tuber- bearing rhizomes; stems stout, 1–3 m, ± spreading-hairy; lvs numerous, those of the upper half or 2/3 of the stem alternate in well developed plants, scabrous above, short-hairy beneath, broadly lanceolate to broadly ovate, the better developed ones mostly 10–25 × 4–12 cm, serrate, abruptly contracted or somewhat tapering to the winged petiole, this 2–8 cm; heads often many in a corymbiform infl, the disk yellow, 1.5–2.5 cm wide; invol bracts rather dark, especially near the base, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate or subattenuate, loose especially above the middle, often hispidulous; rays 10–20, 2–4 cm; 2n=102. Moist soil and waste places; nearly throughout e. U.S. and adj. Can., and w. across the Great Plains. (H. subcanescens, small plants with chiefly opposite lvs)

• Common Names

  Jerusalem artichoke