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Jerusalem Artichoke
الطرطوفة · Helianthus tuberosus
A relative of the sunflower whose knobby tubers are eaten raw or cooked.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | الطرطوفة |
|---|---|
| English name | Jerusalem Artichoke |
| Scientific name | Helianthus tuberosus |
| Family | Daisy family (Asteraceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial with tubers |
| Height | 1.5 to 3 m |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
February to March
Harvest time
October to December
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A tall plant with rough leaves, small yellow flowers and knobby tubers underground.
Where it grows
Grown in small areas in Al-Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf and the north.
Soil
Grows in most soils.
Water and irrigation
Moderate watering.
Climate and light
Loves sun.
Propagation
From tubers.
Benefits and uses
- Easy to grow
- Nutritious tubers
Drawbacks
- Spreads strongly
- Can cause bloating
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Helianthus tuberosus
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Helianthus tuberosus
- Wikipedia: Jerusalem artichoke
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)