Jerusalem artichoke

noun

1. Also called girasol. a sunflower, Helianthus tuberosus, having edible, tuberous, underground stems or rootstocks.

2. Also called sunchoke. the tuber itself.

Jerusalem artichoke

noun

1. a North American sunflower, Helianthus tuberosus, widely cultivated for its underground edible tubers

2. the tuber of this plant, which is cooked and eaten as a vegetable

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jerusalem artichoke¹

1635–45; alteration of Italian girasole articiocco edible sunflower. See girasol, artichoke

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jerusalem artichoke¹

C17: by folk etymology from Italian girasole articiocco; see _girasol

Example Sentences

Jerusalem artichoke, or sunchoke, a perennial sunflower, will try to outdo even the tall coneflower in height and inclination to spread.

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If you thought Jerusalem artichokes were confusingly named, it turns out tropical tubers might be even more perplexing.

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There’s a mad scientist feel to her: When she finds Jerusalem artichokes, she turns them into ice cream.

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A couple of weeks before he died, I cooked him Jerusalem artichoke soup.

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And if artichoke makes you think of Jerusalem artichokes, don’t even bother.

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