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Helianthus tuberosus also called the Jerusalem artichoke, sunroot, sunchoke, earth apple, or topinambour. Is a species of sunflower native to eastern North America,one of the few vegetables to travel back to the Old World with explorers and have a lasting culinary impact.

Good background info. On the plant. It is hearty and nutritious.

I've never eaten any quantity of it. I have kept it around as an "insurance policy." In case the people running things really screwed up. Do not plant near any poured surface you want to keep.