Zonnewortel 'Chinese'

AVAILABLE FROM DECEMBER-APRIL, THEN AS A PLANT (SEE 409620). The Woodland Sunflower (Zonnewortel) is a relative of the Jerusalem Artichoke (Topinamboer) and has been cultivated in Europe (mainly by hobbyists) since around 1850. It originates from North America, and Native Americans had, of course, known its delicious tubers for centuries. These tubers resemble small, thin potatoes but have a pointed end, like yams. You can eat them raw, grated with vinaigrette, or prepare them like potatoes. All Jerusalem Artichoke recipes are applicable to the Woodland Sunflower. The difference from the more common Jerusalem Artichokes is the slimmer, smoother tubers and guaranteed flowering! Leave the tubers in the ground during winter or store them in moist sand, digging them up as needed. Note: like the Jerusalem Artichoke, this is a plant that easily spreads through the garden. Give them a confined space using root barrier fabric or harvest them meticulously (at the latest) in spring.

Names:
Latin: Helianthus strumosus
Dutch: Zonnewortel
Also known as: Helianti
English: Paleleaf Woodland Sunflower