What is Jerusalem artichoke?
:''The [[artichoke]] is a different plant'' {{taxobox |name = Jerusalem artichoke |image = Sunroot top.jpg |image_caption = Stem with flowers |regnum = [[Plantae]] |unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]] |unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]] |unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]] |ordo = [[Asterales]] |familia = [[Asteraceae]] |tribus = [[Heliantheae]] |genus = ''[[Helianthus]]'' |species = '''''H. tuberosus''''' |binomial = ''Helianthus tuberosus'' |binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] |}} The '''Jerusalem artichoke''' (''Helianthus tuberosus''), also called '''sunroot''', '''sunchoke''', '''earth apple''' or '''''topinambour''''', is a species of [[Helianthus|sunflower]] native to eastern [[North America]], and found from eastern [[Canada]] and [[Maine]] west to [[North Dakota]], and south to northern [[Florida]] and [[Texas]].<ref name=grin>Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?27946 ''Helianthus tuberosus''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605075758/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?27946 |date=2011-06-05 }}</ref> It is also cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its [[tuber]], which is used as a [[root vegetable]].<ref name=purdue>Purdue University Center for New Crops & Plants Products: [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Helianthus_tuberosus.html ''Helianthus tuberosus'']</ref> ==Description== The [[herbaceous plant]] is [[perennial plant|perennial]]. It can reach heights of up to {{convert|3|m}}. The leaves are oval, and grow to {{convert|7|cm}} to {{convert|10|cm}} wide, and {{convert|10|cm}} to {{convert|25|cm}} long. The plant has been imported to [[Europe]], and it is seen as an [[invasive species]] - few [[animal]]s eat it, and it will take away the space of other plants. This means that often, there is uncontrolled growth. ==Uses== The plant has been used to make [[Liquor|spirits]] and [[sugar]]. It is a food plant for animals such as [[horse]]s and [[pig]]s. People who suffer from [[diabetes mel