FREE: Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers/Rhizomes-- A Small Priority Box Full

The listing, Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers/Rhizomes-- A Small Priority Box Full has ended.

Jerusalem artichoke (also called Sunchoke), botanically-named Helianthus tuberosus, is a perennial native to North America and was found cultivated by Native Americans along with corn and beans by early European explorers. It's not from Jerusalem and it's not an artichoke.

Jerusalem artichokes look just like annual sunflowers or black-eyed susans based on above-ground growth. Jerusalem artichoke has a coarse, 5- to 10-foot tall stem, large leaves with a rough upper surface, and bright small yellow sunflower-like flowers. However, Jerusalem artichoke can be easily distinguished from annual sunflowers by its below-ground growth that includes fleshy edible tubers resembling thin, knotty potatoes. Reproduction of Jerusalem artichoke is by seeds, rhizomes (horizontal underground stems), and tubers.

The tubers have a potato-like texture often recommended as a potato substitute for diabetics, with a delicate flavor that is slightly sweet and nut-like, similar to jicama and water chestnuts. They can be enjoyed raw or cooked. Directly after harvest, the carbohydrates are in the form of inulin and are good for dieters and diabetics.

Besides its unique food value, the tall 6-8' plants make an attractive windbreak, and the masses of lovely 2-4" daisy-like flowers have a mild chocolate scent.

I will fill a small USPS Priority Mail box with as many Jerusalem artichoke tubers/rhizomes of various sizes as I can safely get in there, wrapped outside in bubble wrap. I have both the red skinned and the white/brown skinned varities. The red seems to have done a little better in my "soil" (a generous term here in my part of Arizona). You can cut the big tubers up, like potatoes, to plant. I did get a lot of small tubers instead of huge ones, probably because of the poor soil. But, if they grow here, they can grow just about anywhere. The experts say Jerusalem Artichokes will grow throughout most of the U.S. from Zone 3 to Zone 9