Jerusalem Artichoke

No, despite the name, the Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a species of sunflower native to North America and is completely unrelated to the globe artichoke. The edible part is a knobby underground tuber that somewhat resembles ginger root.

The tubers store their carbohydrates in the form of inulin rather than starch, meaning they do not spike blood sugar levels when consumed. Inulin is a prebiotic fiber that makes them highly suitable for people monitoring their glucose.

Because the human digestive system cannot easily break down inulin, eating large amounts of Jerusalem Artichokes can cause significant gas and bloating. This digestive reaction is why they are sometimes humorously referred to as "fartichokes."

This wildflower is quite tall and vigorous, often reaching heights of 6 to 10 feet by the end of the summer. It produces bright yellow sunflower-like blooms at the top of its stalks before the plant dies back to direct energy to the tubers.