Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Jerusalem Artichoke
(Sunchoke)
Helianthus tuberosus [C-value 3]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms
mid-August -
September
The native Jerusalem Artichoke is uncommon in our area. It prefers full
to partial sun and moist soil containing fertile loam.
Habitats include seeps and moist meadows along
streams and ponds. This
perennial is 2-8' tall, branching occasionally along its upper half with
light green to reddish brown hairy stems. Alternate leaves (up to 9"
long and 4" across) occur along the upper stems. The upper stems
terminate in one or more flowers on stems up to 8" long. Each
flower spans 2½–3½" across, consisting of a dense head of yellow-
turning-brown
disk florets surrounded by 10-20 yellow
ray florets
Jerusalem Artichoke at Lyon Forest Preserve seep September 16, 2017
Jerusalem Artichoke foliage at Lyon Forest Preserve seep September 16, 2017
Jerusalem Artichoke foliage and seed head at Lyon Forest Preserve seep September 16, 2017
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